Tag Archives: ebooks

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

EBook Formats to Consider!

Image by Wishpong some rights reserved
Image by Wishpond some rights reserved

As eBooks (or e-books)  have been growing in popularity over the last several years so has the various formats available on the market. According to TechTerms, an eBook is defined as an electronic book or digital publication that can be read on a computer, e-reader, or other electronic device (“eBooks”).

Format Properties: All major formats support text, images, chapters and page markers. In addition, some may support user annotations, including highlighted text, drawings and notes.

  • Open Format: Can be read on multiple devices.
  • Proprietary Format:  Only view-able on a specific device.
    • Digital Rights Management (DRM):  A collection of systems used to protect the copyrights of electronic media. Commercially available publications often include some kind of  DMR to prevent the content from being viewed on unauthorized devices.

Libraries that strive to meet patron-driven demands for eBooks are working to increase access by building their collections. What are the most prevalent formats on the market? This Spring, Edudemic (2013) identified their top picks for you to consider. Read the full article, The 6 Most Popular eBook Formats To Know About.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Need Discounts on Books?

Some right reserved by Taro
Some right reserved by Taro

Do you need to do some end-of-the-year ordering of books (including e-books) and are you looking for discounts?

CMLE provides book discounts to libraries in Aitkin, Benton, Chisago, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs, Morrison, Pine, Sherburne, Stearns, Todd and Wright counties in Minnesota. This year we have eleven book companies participating in the discount program, and eight of them are discounting e-books!  These discounts provide cost savings to 319 academic, school, public, and special libraries. The eleven participating book  companies this year are listed below, the companies with e-book discounts are shown in blue! You can go to our website to review all of the savings at http://www.cmle.org/discounts.asp. Each discount has a promo code that you need to mention to receive the savings.  In November, our member libraries should have received an email attachment of the discounts and their associated promo codes. Didn’t get the attachment? Send an email to cmle@stcloudstate.edu and use subject line, Discount Promo Codes Needed to receive the attachment.

Please let me know if you have any problems using these discounts, or if the list does not include a company you would like to suggest for inclusion next year. These discounts are a perk to you as part of your free membership as a CMLE member library. Send email to papost@stcloudstate.edu  with your input. Thanks!

Abdo, Baker & Taylor, Brodart, Follett, Gumdrop, Ingram, Mackin, Rainbow,

Sebco, Scholastic, and Usborne

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

Webinar: New Strategies to Access eBooks!

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Some rights reserved by Wishpond
Some rights reserved by Wishpond

Electronic Books (eBooks) are growing in popularity among avid readers. As a result, libraries have begun to integrate digital materials in their collections for patrons. However, commercially available publications often include some kind of digital rights management (DRM) that limit or prohibit sharing. As the eBook trend continues to grow, libraries themselves can become vital participants in the emerging models for eBook sharing, content creation and delivery.

On Tuesday, April 30th, Webjunction will be hosting a free webinar at noon (Central Time). Click here for additional information.

Academic, Check this out:, General, Public, School Media Specialist, Special

American Libraries Live Broadcasts!

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Some rights reserved by INeedCoffee

What is American Libraries Live?

American Libraries Live is a joint production of American Libraries and ALA Editions, units of the American Library Association. It is a free, streaming video broadcast about today’s library issues and trends. Each episode focuses on a specific issue affecting libraries and librarians, and features a panel of vendors and library industry experts engaged in a real-time discussion. By registering on-line, it allows viewers (you) the option to interact and ask questions with the hosts via a live chat format.  This publication provides another opportunity for CMLE members to stay connected at a significant cost savings (stretching dollars).

  • In April, Sue Polanka, will lead a panel discussion on, “The Present and Future of e-Books.”  This episode will air on Thursday, April 18th at 1pm Central time. You can register here!
  • If you were not able to view this month’s (March) broadcast about Library Safety & Security with Cathy Hakala-Ausperk and Brett Lear, click here for the recorded conversation now available on YouTube.

 

General, Public, School Media Specialist

Contract Scorecard for EBooks!

Some rights reserved by Kodomut
Some rights reserved by Kodomut

Recommended Ed Tech Tool

If you are like many libraries, a larger number of collections are becoming electronic books or eBooks. With several companies offering eBooks for sale, it can be difficult to know what your library may want or need in the next eBook contract? ALA (American Library Association) recently released a report titled, “EBook Business Models: A Scorecard for Public Libraries”.  This report examines fifteen specific eBook licensing variables often seen in library contracts. Click here for more information (pdf). This tool may be helpful in crafting your next list of must haves!