is not enough to look into the matters of the future of the libraries. This is just too deep having too
many levels to explore and to balance before achieving an equilibrium between the past, present and future.
All the debate about the future throws ebooks in the mix with all the present and future complexities. Some fear that ebooks will change the way we will behave in relation to the linear discursive path the books got us used to, other think that the future is unpredictable arguing is for the user's demand, a market
will form and only his new unpredictable future behavior will shape how and in which form the books will be "consumed". And the libraries, these yet to become shape shifters in the networked information age, will have to move fast, and get a slender shape in its thinking paths and services as well. Alliances with the editorial houses are to be accepted as a step forward in determining what and in what shape the user wants his content. I said "his" content and I meant that he demands what he wants with an unheard gigantic voice on his favorite device right now. Someone said that growing linear graphics in sales reports does not mean that a particular format, device or company holds the key for a correct interpreting of the future trends.
Caught in the middle, the old institution is forced to take another turn info for the need of reinventing itself for the sake of its patrons.
Gino Roncaglia (University of Tuscia) doesn't believe the prophecy on the end of the books (if there is a coherent formulation for one), but the next step is in the shape of visualization of data between the boundaries of the sole reader and social reader. {sharethis}
It was nice to learn about one of the most media oriented library out there: New York Public Library. It seems that the only path to establish a model (business) for ebook distribution in libraries is to establish strong ties with the editorial houses and various providers of such content. Christopher Platt presents ebooks.nypl.org a successful distribution channel along with the stories related to the initial efforts and hardships they've been through. A very interesting remark I retain is that instead of accepting that publisher start a direct relation with their users, libraries should persuade the publishers to do that through the library services. A motto for this new library trend would be: ’Serve the patron that is not there.’
The check-out of the publications is done by the providers themselves and not by the library staff. Very clever in terms of resource allocation! OverDrive - download services built the virtual branch. Sadly, the editors and ebook providers do not understand very well the library's trade.
There cannot be a discussion about the ebooks without crossing the hot issue of digital rights and copyright. Antonella De Robbio offered o view on the library services poised between ancient ownership and the new righteous rights. There are the two famous models mentioned: Cattedrale e il Bazaar. Well, the libraries are in the middle.
The telegram from the big names there:
{xtypo_sticky}Alice Bellasich, CENGAGE
Presentation of the myLibrary made by CENGAGE.
New forms of e-content from Cengage Learning:
- CourseReader: an instrument for research and dig through the resources
- CourseMate: ebooks integrated, interactive work
- engagementTracker: could be analised the engagement of the students with resources
- YouBook: professors can create their own ebook - a mesh-up of resources.
Need more? Ask: Această adresă de email este protejată contra spambots. Trebuie să activați JavaScript pentru a o vedea.{/xtypo_sticky}
{xtypo_sticky}Silvie Niedworok, Elsevier eBooks
Interesting service: Image Search
Access to the right content saves 2-4 hours per day to the researcher
Offering the content on mobil devices: SciVerse
Where to start:
- Ownership (it was the past)-Access (what the users request)
- Publisher - Aggregator
- Collections-Pick@Choose
- Juste in case-Just in time
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{xtypo_sticky}3M Library systems walk on the technological side of the content delivery. Technology trends: Natural User Interface (NUI), High Definition Screens, Cloud computing, Business Intelligence, Digitisation, Convergence (systems, functionality and usage). Mega trends: Green (recyclable materials low energy usage), Self Service, Mobile Device usage, Digital, NUI. And, of course, RFID.{/xtypo_sticky}
{xtypo_sticky}Jacob Lewis
Figment - write yourself... My own private library figment is an online for teens and young-adults to create, discover and share.
www.figment.com
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{xtypo_sticky}Sara Batts
Ebooks and London Law Libraries
The issues raised by the publishing houses with regards to creating and dispatching the ebooks and retail issues.
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{xtypo_sticky}Andrea Ferro - Casalini libri
Torrossa.it{/xtypo_sticky}
{xtypo_sticky}OCLC goes towards cloud computing!{/xtypo_sticky}
{xtypo_sticky}Antonio Tombolini
If you don't have a book farm yet, you'll find it at Simplicissimus
Ebooklabitalia.com{/xtypo_sticky}
{xtypo_sticky}Medialibraryonline
www.medialibrary.it{/xtypo_sticky}
{becssg}GaleDigitalCollections{/becssg}{jcomments on}