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E-reader loaners from libraries? Or would they just divert money from p-books and e-books?
December 22, 2009 | 8:55 am
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By David Rothman
Should libraries loan e-readers to users, not just to read library e-books but to sample public domain freebies online?
That’s a modest proposal from Alex Beam, a Boston Globe columnist, and I can see the usefulness of the idea to popularize e-reading even though Beam’s own feelings toward e-readers are decidedly mixed.
Beam suggests that Amazon and Sony donate readers to libraries, but that won’t happen in a meaningful way unless they can envision enough borrowers metamorphosing into buyers. Otherwise we’re talking about spending tax money that might otherwise go for p-books and e-books. Beam correctly observes that many titles aren’t even in E, a major point of his. The TeleRead plan—a recent version appears in the Huffington Post—could help address that. I hope Beam will be open to the possibilities.
Back to hardware. As I’ve said from the start, the real focus should be on driving down the cost of the machines so that anyone can afford them. A systematic approach like TeleRead—calling for a national digital library system well integrated with local schools and libraries—could help. But even without TeleRead, we’re making progress. Through a special at New Egg, you can buy an Ectaco five-inch LCD e-reader for just $120, a savings of $30 from the regular cost. And five years from now? I’d guess that better devices will go for $50 at Walmart.
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Comments:
As soon as new technologies render electrophoretic readers obsolete, they might become a niche for libraries willing to loan cheap devices
This has been done for almost ten years in both public and university libraries starting with the Rocket eBook.
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
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.