Librarian by Day

There were many announcements made during and around the time of ALA that related to ebooks and libraries. I’ve put together a list in case you  missed any.

Library Specific

ALA Annual 2011: New Ebook Service Launched, Takes Its Inspiration from Freegal

Library Ideas, LLC, has launched a new ebook service for libraries that’s similar to the company’s Freegal Music product. Freading will offer 20,000 copyrighted titles from 16 publishers with a mix of frontlist and backlist titles, the company said today at the American Library Association’s annual conference in New Orleans. The publishers that have signed on include Sterling Publishing, Sourcebooks, Andrews McMeel, and Regnery Publishing. Library Ideas cofounder Brian Downing says he’s hopeful a major publisher will join as well.

3M To Launch Library Ebook Lending Service

3M Library Systems announced in May that it would be unveiling a new ebook lending service for libraries—including an in-library “Discovery Terminal,” 3M eReaders, and 3M apps—at the 2011 American Library Association (ALA) annual conference in New Orleans. When launched, it would be a competitor to OverDrive, which currently dominates the library ebook market.

B&T Launches Axis 360 Library Media Platform at ALA

Baker and Taylor announced plans to roll out its Axis 360 digital media circulation and management platform, a new procurement system that allows librarian to order both physical and digital content—including Blio, Ray Kurzweil’s multimedia e-reading software—from a single source. B&T is also teaming with Barnes & Noble to promote the use of Nook e-reading devices for library-loaned e-books.

Baker & Taylor and B&N team up to make library books available on the Nook

Baker & Taylor, the world’s largest distributor of physical and digital books, and Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest bookseller, announced at the American Library Association Annual Conference that the companies will partner to build awareness among NOOK customers that digital books are available for loan from local libraries, and to provide all library patrons with a seamless method for borrowing eBooks and other digital content. The highly acclaimed, bestselling line of NOOK ereaders will be featured devices on Axis 360, Baker & Taylor’s revolutionary digital media circulation and management platform. …

Starting this fall, patrons at Axis 360-powered libraries will be able to check out ebooks to read on their personal NOOK devices. From Axis 360, patrons will also have a link to the Barnes & Noble online store for purchasing digital content and physical products

American Library Association E-books Taskforce continues dialogue with HarperCollins

One important outcome of our discussion is that HarperCollins will contribute to the E-books Taskforce’s series of answers to frequently asked questions sent to the taskforce from ALA members that cover issues from basic questions about e-book readers to specific questions about licensing. Our taskforce released its first FAQ addressing questions from public libraries and will release more to address questions from school and academic libraries. HarperCollins’ contribution will give the publisher’s perspective.

What libraries can do when they buy an ebook

When a library buys (not licenses) a copy of an ebook, it is subject to the same copyright restrictions and allowances as when the library buys a hardback copy.

eBooks the New Normal ebook summit from Library Journal and Library School Journal

Library Journal/School Library Journal present the second annual Virtual Summit onEbooks: The New Normal a one-day virtual conference on ebooks and their role in the future of libraries.

This live event brings together public, academic and school librarians (K-12), vendors and publishers, and industry experts to address how libraries are leveraging the ebook opportunity to improve service and reach more users than ever before.

Two Thirds of libraries offer ebooks

The American Library Association have released a new report on Monday, and the report covers the state of American libraries.

General

J K Rowling to sell Harry Potter e-books

The e-books will be released in October, and will be available only on the Pottermore website, but will be compatible across a range of devices, including Amazon’s Kindle.

In six months, (November 2010-May 2011) e-reader ownership doubled from 6% to 12% report from Pew Internet & American Life Project

The percent of U.S. adults with an e-book reader doubled from 6% to 12% between November 2010 and May 2011. Hispanic adults, adults younger than age 65, college graduates and those living in households with incomes of at least $75,000 are most likely to own e-book readers. Parents are also more likely than non-parents to own these devices.

Thoughts from the community

eBooks at Another Milestone – Andy Woodworth on some of the announcements

ALA Annual 2011: Ebooks: New Strategy Required, Now –Heather McCormack’s take on one of the ALA ebook panels

Is This The Tipping Point For E-Books & Libraries? Audrey Waters at ReadWriteWeb looks at some of the recent announcements

3M’s eBook Cloud Library Didn’t Come Out of Nowhere! Eric Hellman on the 3M announcement

Report from ALA’s OITP eBook Task Force Meeting With HarperCollins by Peter Brantley

ALA Annual 2011: Louisiana Deep-Fried Angst – Heather McCormack’s thoughts on the HarperCollins discussion

Ebook Vendors at #ALA11 – David Lee King’s take on the vendors he spoke with [added 7.5.2011 2:20 est]