Number of Adults in U.S. Who Use E-Books Topped 50 Million in 2012 — But Consumer Base, Buying Habits Changing

- Submitted by Rochelle Logan, Douglas County Libraries

Simba Information, a market research firm specializing in publishing and media, has released their latest report on eBook publishing which “shows that the number of e-book users did climb in 2012 to pass 50 million adults, but how they use e-books, what devices are used, what extent they buy and how much money they spend on content has changed to make the industry a lot tougher to navigate.”

According to Michael Norris, senior analyst of Simba Information’s Consumer Media & Technology Division, “The e-book industry is much more nuanced than most people think and getting a person to value and engage with your content isn’t always going to be an easy sell,” 

View the full article.

What’s the Problem with Self-Publishing?

- Submitted by Jamie LaRue, Douglas County Libraries

“The discussion of self-published titles in libraries has increased in recent years, in direct proportion to the angst surrounding ongoing ebook licensing negotiations with major traditional publishers. Prompted by the prospect of limited availability of popular titles or higher prices—probably both—­librarians are understandably weighing alternatives that might satisfy readership demands.”

Read the full article in Library Journal.

Sue Polanka and Jamie LaRue on the Next Episode of American Libraries Live

- Submitted by Christine Kreger, Colorado State Library

Attend a free interactive broadcast of American Libraries Live On Thursday April 13 at noon, as Sue Polanka leads a discussion about ebooks with panelists Jamie LaRue, Douglas County Libraries and Scott Wasinger, EBSCO Publishing.

Register for the session.

It’s No Joke! Douglas County Library’s Latest eBook Price Comparison

- Submitted by Jamie LaRue, Douglas County Libraries

Spring is in the air, but eBook prices for libraries still leave us cold. View the latest eBook price comparison from Douglas County Libraries.

Note:

  • None of the titles are available through Smashwords.
  • A few of the titles are over 20 years old and not in our catalog – that is why you see that B&T has a price but not Ingram.
  • A few of the titles have print material forthcoming, but you cannot actually purchase the print book today.

 

Jamie LaRue Responds to “Giving Them What They Should Want”

- Submitted by Jamie LaRue, Douglas County Libraries

“Because the non-big six e-books we buy from publishers outside the big six vary in quality, and do not have the pre-existing demand of some of the major publisher’s titles, he suggested this somehow constitutes a return to the prescriptive purchases common at the dawn of librarianship.”

Read the original Publisher’s Weekly article Giving Them What They Should Want and Jamie’s full response.

Library as Publisher: A Massachusetts Public Library Will Soon Begin Publishing eBooks

- Submitted by Christine Kreger, Colorado State Library

“Provincetown Public Press, a new digital book publishing operation of the public library, is offering writers and artists the ability to create and distribute a digital book on the Internet.”

Read more about this initiative from the Provincetown Public Library.

No Library Love for Ebook Bestsellers

- Submited by Rochelle Logan, Douglas County Libraries

Douglas County Libraries has released its latest price comparison report based upon DCL top circulating books for January 2013. Only four bestsellers are available as ebooks to libraries unlike their print counterparts.

Where’s the love?

Why Public Libraries Matter: And How They Can Do More

- Submitted by Jamie LaRue, Douglas County Libraries

“From one standpoint, public libraries seem like a small thorn in the side of embattled publishers.   They account for a small percentage of book sales, but bleed off more sales by lending bestsellers promiscuously.”

Read more from Forbes.

For some reflection on this article see Jamie LaRue’s mylibblog post.