Bob

modb1rd

From a librarian perspective I am interested in how you feel about Overdrive and Netlibrary. Ebrary too I guess.

BobLoblaw

Sure! I'll find the LJ article about the Kindle copyright stuff too.

BobLoblaw

Honestly, I have no idea about the cost! That's where our collection development people come in. According to this article, they allow one book download per person [url]http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6666004.html?q=kindle[/url] and have spent $1800 on books.I think it's really interesting. For instance, I'm reading the Sookie books and we obviously don't have them in our collection, so I either request them through my local library or get them through ILL to my workplace. That costs money--shipping, packaging, staff, etc. With the Kindle, it would only cost to download the book (other than the initial startup, maintenance, etc.) But that kind of leads into the copyright and use restrictions issues. Amazon has said they forbid lending, but a few libraries have been lending them over and over without penalty. It is kind of a gray area, I guess. As far as traditional ebooks (that you read from your computer) ours are mainly reference materials--directories, encyclopedias, etc. One publisher (that I actually wrote for!) releases all the books' contents online when you purchase the book, so you get print and online access.

modb1rd

Sorry I wasn't clear, I didn't necessarily expect you to be able to answer my questions about cost, it's just an area I am interested in. The books I have used from Overdrive on my Kindle could only be read by one person at a time and expired in 1 - 3 weeks depending on what I selected when I checked it out. I would think that for library use the Sony 505 would be better than a Kindle. It works easily with Overdrive (the Kindle does not work easily. you need some technical knowledge) and has not been designed to allow purchase directly from the unit. Regarding Amazon's stance on lending Kindles have you seen this article? http://ireaderreview.com/2009/06/16/libraries-lending-kindle/I would have a bigger problem with Amazon trying to control what I did with the physical Kindle unit than the content I put on the Kindle.

BobLoblaw

I have not seen that, thanks! I'll have to forward that to my boss when I go back next week.Honestly, I don't expect us to go this route for a long time. Money is SO tight everywhere and serials costs are always skyrocketing. It's really unfortunate that we're left with little "play money". If you're really interested, I know there are a few librarians on the book board on the Nest, the public librarians would know a lot more about overdrive than I do!

modb1rd

oh and I wonder if some day a stripped down inexpensive reader will be designed specifically to work with Overdrive. Libraries might have some, but it would also be something that the individual patron could buy.

modb1rd

I may pop over there. And I agree these are very early days for this technology in general, I just honestly think that it has the potential to be really valuable.