Audio books are catching on in libraries, according to a news release from OCLC. But format, DRM and platform concerns are arising from NetLibrary‘s use of Windows Media. Phil Shapiro, a veteran K-12 tech advocate, notes that the files won’t play on Macs, iPods and Linux machines.
The TeleRead take: I myself would encourage libraries to experiment with audio books regardless of the present proprietary approach. Same for e-books. But Phil Shapiro is right on target about the problem. Libraries should use their purchasing power to tell vendors, “We’ll get our feet wet, but don’t count on an eternal revenue stream from the proprietary approach. Give us a plan for switching over to nonproprietary standards.” OpenReader, anyone? And similar efforts on the audio and video fronts?
More details: From the Washington Post of April 14:
County library officials eagerly offered patrons a new service in February: For no charge, readers could download more than 700 digital audiobooks to listen to on their computers and portable players.
Such books, library director Edwin S. Clay III said, “allow you to take your reading anywhere.”
Apple’s iPod does not use Windows Media Player, as the audiobooks are designed to do.
But the library system inadvertently was caught in a clash of competing software that has left many patrons unhappy because they cannot use the service. Owners of the top-selling digital player, the iPod made by Apple Computer, cannot download books off the library’s Web site because the county’s service is incompatible with Apple’s proprietary software.
“I was taken aback by the vehemence with which iPod users reacted,” said library spokeswoman Lois Kirkpatrick…
Kirkpatrick, the Fairfax library spokeswoman, said the library was limited to the available choices — all of them Windows-based — to provide the service. She said that NetLibrary officials suggested she tell disgruntled iPod users that ” ‘Apple could, if they wanted, make the iPod with the ability to recognize Windows Media files . . . but they have chosen not to do so for the time being. We regret this and hope the situation will change.’ “
That’s a reasonable statement from Kirkpatrik. Yo, NetLibrary! As an OCLC-owned company, you should watch out for the interest of member libraries and their patrons.
What’s truly frustrating is that audio books for libraries are essentially a Microsoft turf when it comes to formats. OverDrive, a NetLibrary rival, uses Windows only. And although libraries can lend out iPods preloaded with Audible offerings, this audio books company now lacks a system through which libraries can let patrons download the books from the Net.
[…] But of course philosophy is one thing, physical reality another. The current reality of digital music is that there are a host of concerns. Dealing with copyright is one — what does it mean to “lend” a digital file when the first sale doctrine doesn’t apply? Not to mention that the Digital Rights Management tools that “protect” most digital files frequently make it impossible for many of our patrons to use them at all. […]
[…] But of course philosophy is one thing, physical reality another. The current reality of digital music is that there are a host of concerns. Dealing with copyright is one — what does it mean to “lend” a digital file when the first sale doctrine doesn’t apply? Not to mention that the Digital Rights Management tools that “protect” most digital files frequently make it a impossible for many of our patrons to use them at all. […]