Week Three: Where the eBooks are
Week Three – where the eBooks are
An eReader is not a very useful eReader without some eBooks or eContent to read! This week we explore the eLending / eReading environment by looking at sources of free and fee-based content.
Activity 1: Hands on:
This week we continue experimenting with the devices, but move it a little further by downloading content and exploring eReading apps. For this activity you will need to connect your device to wifi. If your library uses NSW.net wifi you can find user guides on connecting here: http://www.nswnet.net/connectivity/user-guides.
To download free content to the Sony Reader, follow the instructions here: http://www.sony.com.au/microsite/reader/100free-ebooks/ to download free eBooks. You will need to use the Adobe account and password on the password sheet we discussed in Week One.
For the Kobo, download the Kobo Desktop software on to your PC: http://www.kobobooks.com/desktop Use the Kobo account and password to log in. Find and download free eBooks. Try searching for “free classics”.
For the Kindle Paperwhite and Kindle Fire (large eLK only) you can use either of the discs in the kit that contain free ebooks in Kindle format. You will need to connect the Kindle to your pc with the accompanying cable. (Everything is colour coded!)
For example to download free content onto the Kindle apps (on the smartphones and tablets) you need to go to www.amazon.com, log in using the eLK username and password and search for and download free books. Search for free classics or free books.
When you next log into the Kindle app, these titles will be “in the cloud” waiting to be downloaded onto every device that shares that password.
Have a look at the Kobo app on any of the smartphones or tablets. Explore “Reading Life” (from Home Page top menu) you can access a timeline of your reading activity, your statistics, your awards and also share these with friends via Facebook. Explore the Social Reading aspects of the app – accessible by clicking the semi-circular icon at the bottom of each page of an open book. You can look at Book Stats – Likes, Dislikes, see comments about the book and find out who is reading it now. Again this is linked to Facebook. Do you think these features would interest clients?
Note when using the Kindle or the Kobo apps how the content “syncs” across the devices. Once content is downloaded it is available on every device that is registered under the same username and password, with bookmarks remembered! This allows content to be always available. If you leave your eReader at home you can continue reading on your phone.
Activity 2: A little light reading:
In the previous activity we explored downloading free content. A list of sources of free content can be found on the eLending Portal here.
In Australia, libraries offering fee-based content to their clients do so through a “content aggregator”. Find an overview of the eLending environment here: http://www.nswnet.net/generic/introduction-1
Your library may already provide access to one or more eBook services. For an overview of various services and which NSW public libraries are subscribing see: http://www.nswnet.net/generic/ebook-vendors
Activity 3: Start a conversation:
If your library already subscribes to an eBook service start a conversation about what staff and clients like - and don’t like - about the service. If you have more than one service, how do they differ?
Think about how the service is presented. Put yourself in the shoes of the library user. We love our library words – nobody else calls a book a monograph or a magazine a serial?! But sometimes library speak can be bewildering to clients. Most users would not know what EBL, Bolinda or Zinio offer. They want books and magazines!
Is there a link from your website? Does the link to the service take clients away from your site? How well is this branded – i.e. are they still aware they are using a service the library has selected and paid for or does the eBook service branding take over?
Are your eBooks integrated into your catalogue?
Do clients find the service easy to use? How good are the Help Sheets and/or Online Help? How much time do library staff spend troubleshooting? Which devices can clients use with the service? Do they need to download apps or software?
What do staff and clients think about the content? How much choice do library staff and/or clients have over what content is offered? Is the content what clients want to read? If not, what is missing?
Yes, a lot to think about! All of these issues are “hot topics” in Library land. If you have time, have a look at the Readers First website:
Scroll down below the US map to see that this group is working for library clients to “achieve the same open, easy and free access to e-books that they have come to rely on with physical books.”
Have a look at the Principles of Readers First. How does your eBook service rate against these principles?
If you don’t subscribe to an eBook service start a conversation about what free content is available. Do you think your clients are aware of the range of free titles? Would this be useful for your clients?
Finally have a look at the State Library eResources page. All residents in NSW can apply for a Readers Card and access 3000 eBooks through the service we subscribe to - EBL. Find out more here: www.sl.nsw.gov.au/eresources. Does your library promote the availability of this service to clients? How many of your clients have a State Library Card?