http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/ News & views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics Thu, 09 Feb 2012 18:28:43 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/comment-page-1/#comment-1151493 asphalt Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:34:09 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/12/22/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/#comment-1151493 I'd predict a device-lending program to go much the same way as early computer-access programs. Libraries definitely still offer access to computers, but many more patrons use the free wifi. Initially more people would borrow the actual devices, then those who like them would purchase their own. Although initial costs may be somewhat high, I think it would increase e-book downloads (circulation) down the road. I’d predict a device-lending program to go much the same way as early computer-access programs. Libraries definitely still offer access to computers, but many more patrons use the free wifi. Initially more people would borrow the actual devices, then those who like them would purchase their own. Although initial costs may be somewhat high, I think it would increase e-book downloads (circulation) down the road.

]]> http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/comment-page-1/#comment-1151411 David Rothman Tue, 22 Dec 2009 22:11:11 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/12/22/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/#comment-1151411 Marilyn: Indeed,as Alex Beam notes; but Rocket eBook adoption was not that major--in part due to DRM complications and proprietary tech and limit numbers of titles. Even in the 1990s I was writing about this topic in a TeleRead context. But loaners really have not been tried in a major major way in practice. Of course I vastly prefer the idea of driving down the costs so people don't have to wait for library units. Thanks. - David Marilyn: Indeed,as Alex Beam notes; but Rocket eBook adoption was not that major–in part due to DRM complications and proprietary tech and limit numbers of titles. Even in the 1990s I was writing about this topic in a TeleRead context. But loaners really have not been tried in a major major way in practice. Of course I vastly prefer the idea of driving down the costs so people don’t have to wait for library units. Thanks. – David

]]> http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/comment-page-1/#comment-1151408 Marilynn Byerly Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:42:43 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/12/22/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/#comment-1151408 This has been done for almost ten years in both public and university libraries starting with the Rocket eBook. This has been done for almost ten years in both public and university libraries starting with the Rocket eBook.

]]> http://www.teleread.com/ebooks/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/comment-page-1/#comment-1151388 dowee Tue, 22 Dec 2009 14:46:43 +0000 http://www.teleread.org/2009/12/22/should-libraries-get-free-e-readers-to-lend-out/#comment-1151388 As soon as new technologies render electrophoretic readers obsolete, they might become a niche for libraries willing to loan cheap devices As soon as new technologies render electrophoretic readers obsolete, they might become a niche for libraries willing to loan cheap devices

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