'Unbundling' in the Book Business: The Fourth Big Trend (Shatzkin Files) A few weeks ago, I wrote that there are three big forces driving the future of publishing: scale, verticalization, and atomization. I was wrong. eBook Spending on the Rise (Digital Book World) In 2012 ebooks accounted for 11% of all book spending, according to a recap in Publishers Weekly... OverDrive Unveils Big Library Read Pilot Project (Good e-Reader) Overdrive has gained the support of over 3,000 libraries for a new pilot project to take ebook accessibility to an entirely new level. The intention behind this new initiative is to create a global “library book club.” Amazon Acquires Samsung Colour...

Christopher Harris has a thought-provoking essay up at The Digital Shift in which he argues that self-published books are "not a solution" for K-12. He argues that publishers "serve a critical role in the information ecosystem" by vetting and recommending quality books to school librarians, who often work alone without the benefits of a large paid staff to assist them in their book-buying choices. I sympathize with the task Harris, and other school librarians, face. But I think he misses the point that publishers have the prominence they do simply because until recently, we lacked the technological abilities for anyone else...

Harper Collins to Launch New Digital-Only Imprint in October 2013 (The Digital Reader) 94% of Parents Think Libraries are Important for Their Children (GalleyCat) Barnes & Noble Filing Explains Why Patent System is Broken (Tech Dirt) Barnes & Noble Reduces Cost of Nook Readers in UK (Good e-Reader) Kindle Daily Deals: The Vegas Knockout by Tom Schreck (and 3 others)  ...

The public library question is one we ask ourselves frequently here at TeleRead: In general, how well—or how poorly—are libraries adapting to the Internet age? And how, exactly, are library patrons using their local branches? (As low-cost coffee shops or free Internet cafes, perhaps?) And for that matter, do most patrons consider their local library's print book collection to be just as crucial as it ever was? Tough questions, all of them. If you spend a moment studying the infographic below, which was sent to us today from the website CityTownInfo.com, you'll likely come to the same conclusion we've come to...

Attention library advocates in Alexandria, Va.: Talking points for the local budget debate are here. Leaving us in the dark about the source of this tidbit, a Washington Post headline in the Style section blog says: “Alexandria, Virginia: the most well-read city in America.” Similar words show up elsewhere in the media about my hometown, the oft-paradoxical Washington suburb of some 146,000 where a bronze Confederate soldier stands in the middle of Washington Street despite an African-American mayor and a generally progressive city council. Alas, however, our number one ranking isn’t based on actual books and other items read per capita. Rather our spot at the top reflects what the Post accurately mentions in the...

The Lawrence (Kansas) Public Library found an innovative way to celebrate Banned Book Week last fall when it produced art trading cards. Lawrence Library picked seven books to put on its trading cards from 46 submissions. Books included 1984 (pictured), Animal Farm, and Little Red Riding Hood. The cards gained national attention, and they’re still receiving more. Lawrence Library became one of eight libraries to win a 2013 John Cotton Dana Award, which comes with a $10,000 award, the Lawrence Journal World reported. Locals got free packs, but the library sold others online and sent packs around the world, including to England, Canada and...

By Erika Phyall For more than 50 years, National Library Week has highlighted the importance of libraries. Libraries and librarians play a crucial role in promoting reading and literacy. Although teachers often focus on teaching children how to read and building their general reading skills, it is libraries that help foster a love for reading, connecting children with books and communicating the importance of books to parents and the community. In honor of National Library Week, USC Rossier decided to highlight five infographics that also promote literacy. Happy reading!   1. Which Books Should You Read This Summer? Summer is the time to relax on the beach or curl...

Yes, LibraryCity has been on an S. R. Ranganathan kick lately (here and here). Still ahead is a DPLA-related essay on his Five Laws of Library Science as applied to K-12, including school libraries—a follow-up to the LibraryCity post by Apple Distinguished Educator Donald R. Smith, a teacher-librarian with 40 years of experience. If you want to share any relevant thoughts for the next Ranganathan-inspired essay, just e-mail LibraryCity or use the comments area of this post. The essay should be online at LibraryCity.org in the next week or two, after some crucial research materials arrive. Meanwhile, some other ideas on K-12-related matters: The DPLA should work with state and local libraries toward the creation of a...

Two great reads came into my inbox this morning, one via Book Riot and one via email, from a blog called Picky Girl, which I have not read. The subject? Reader responsibility. Do they have any? Does being a 'reader' obligate one to perform certain tasks on behalf of the author? It was an interesting dialogue. Picky Girl (aka Jenn) began with an author tweet that read 'I am VERY happy you found my novel at the library, dear reader ... but do realize that if only libraries buy books, authors don't eat.' [caption id="attachment_82572" align="alignright" width="246"] THIS IS HORSESHIT[/caption] After her initial irk...

While I’ve been reading e-books for several years, I didn’t get catch on to borrowing e-books from the public library until recently. I’m a big proponent of the library and borrow physical books often, but using the Overdrive app happened a bit too late. Once I started using it, well, I haven’t been able to stop. Even though I can only borrow a book for seven days and feel stressed to read the book in that allotment, I thoroughly enjoy the app. I wondered why there aren’t more books available. Of course, plenty of that has to do with licensing and publishing...

Report: Penguin to Cease Windowing Library Titles (Digital Book World) UK Government Releases New Report on Library Lending (Good e-Reader) Battle Lines Drawn in HarperCollins/Open Road eBook Suit (Publisher's Weekly) License Restrictions: A Fool's Errand (Nature.com) Kindle Daily Deals: Nate in Venice by Richard Russo (and 3 others)  ...

As e-books emerge as more and more of a popular medium, politicians have to look at new ways of protecting citizens. When many laws were enacted, even decades ago, they were written without much consideration for future digital endeavors. Arizona is the most recent to state to look at e-books, and to move to protect those that read them. A bill is going through the state legislature to add e-books to the current library privacy law, according to the Associated Press. The current state law already prohibits the disclosure of library records without a court order. This bill would protect readers of...