Ebooks
August 18, 2010
The introduction of the Amazon Kindle started a new generation in electronic book (or ebook) development. In 1998, I thought that NuvoMedia had finally found an acceptable electronic reader with the Rocket eBook. Unfortunately, RCA bought the company, and were never able to successfully license content. Consequently, that device slowly went away
It looks like this round of development may actually gain traction. The first indicator is that more than one vendor is developing hardware. Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Sony, and Apple have all weighed into the ebook reader environment this time around. Even more important, Amazon and B&N have significant relationships with traditional print publishers. That is something that NuvoMedia never had. In addition, using their model for music and iPods, Apple’s iTunes Store is the premier source for downloading licensed content to a device.
If you can make a device intuitive and cost-effective, it has a chance. If you can provide access to things people want to read/download, that will be a major step forward. Be looking for other posts as I “handicap” the ebook reader horserace and discuss its impact on libraries.
Steven V. Potter
Director of Libraries
Comments
An easy way to read books
An easy way to read books without going to bookstore is through e-reader. This is just one proof on technology innovation. The electronic reader sector is growing. Over 22 million e-readers were purchased in just 2009. This is leaving several wondering -- can bookstores endure? In short, bookstores can survive. It will take creative marketing and short-term loans of talent and money.
ebook possibilities
I would LOVE to buy an ebook, but I won't until the library signs on to provide ebooks for its patrons. In looking around, OverDrive offers an ebook library too (just like the audiobook library MCPL already subscribes to), but right now MCPL doesn't subscribe to it. The entire state of Kansas library system has it at their disposal. This just an idea for MCPL to look into in order to start providing ebooks to patrons.
ebooks at MCPL
I'm so looking forward to this. I've been waiting to buy a Nook until I see if this will happen any time soon. Update info?
E-readers are already here as a strong market.
Amazon's Kindle is it's strongest selling item, for two years running, and on Amazon that is not a small amount sold. There were articles recently about ebook sales out pacing print books sales on Amazon, even though prints sales still grew. Ebooks and readers are here, in a fully realized form and the market is strong. The real big indicator here is not just that more than one manufacturer makes readers, but that the same companies are making software for computers AND other mobile devices (ie, Android and iOS) to read the same ebooks that they sell the readers to use. This means that they know the reader itself is just a stepping stone to sell more ebooks and that making ebooks available beyond just their own hardware platform will increase sales. They know that the market for readers is strong and that ebooks are the lasting way to keep money flowing in the segment.
sharona826 and skipper...
There are several people at MCPL who are investigating how we can create an ebook collection. As things stand right now, it appears as though it would be very difficult if not impossible for MCPL to license content that could be loaded to your Kindle. On the other hand, one of our partners that provides audiobooks for download does provide ebooks that can be loaded to a Sony Reader or the Barnes & Noble Nook.
We are continuing to investigate...
Steve
when will MCPL have ebooks?
I'm looking forward to ebooks from MCPL, like overdrive or netlibrary. Do you have a timeline for supporting these services?
Still weighing the benefits
Like sharona826, I have long been interested in e-readers. They look great for travel. But I have not bought one yet because 1) I wonder about the availability of titles through the library and 2) I wonder what will happen to used book stores. I would hate to see these stores disappear.
E-Books
I'm glad to see this article. I've long been interested in an e-reader, but have been waiting to buy until I know whether or not MCPL will make content available for e-readers, and which ones would be supported. I'll be watching with interest to see what develops!
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