eBooks Reimagined: Alternative Systems Created by and for Libraries Outline: Amanda Jacobs Foust
1. Why? What made you decide to do this in the first place:
a. In 2013 the enki Library, an eBook platform built by libraries for libraries,
launched in response to the demand from libraries to work directly with
publishers to purchase eBook files and host them on a platform that the
library owned rather than lease titles on a proprietary vendor-owned
platforms. enki: a Sumerian deity of mischief, intelligence and creativity.
2. Designing the project:
a. Califa, the largest library network in California, is a consortia of more than
220 library that serves public, academic, school and special libraries.
Founded in 2004 as a 5013c non-profit public corporation. As a
membership-based service bureau designed to provide member-
enhanced, value added services to all California Libraries, the Califa
Group brokers and facilitates the delivery of programs and products;
sponsors statewide projects; as well as manages master contracts for and
pricing agreements. Independently, Contra Costa County Library and
Califa decided to do something about this, and to be proactive in finding a
solution. We teamed up to build enki, an eBook platform that is built on
open source code, with content that is purchased directly from publishers;
not through a vendor. Our small team took a year to build the platform
and develop a collection. We are actively negotiating with publishers, and
adding more content all the time. Acquiring this format, however, has not
been without its challenges, with three key issues confronting librarians;
licensing vs. ownership, third-party vendor limitations, and the availability
and pricing of eBooks from publishers.
3. How you funded it:
a. Primarily via LSTA/Grant funding. Post-launch; continued grant funding
plus tiered pricing from subscribing libraries
4. Sustainability
a. Network of volunteers that support enki in a vast amount of ways;
including collection development, technology committee and help desk
support. Form is on website for sign-ups. Assistance with FAQ/Help page
and blog.
5. Any software/technology you choose to do this project:
a. Support of software consultancy Quipu Group, VuFind, Enki was designed
to allow member libraries to loan out ebook content hosted on Califa-
managed Adobe Content Servers.
b. MARC records: We have created catalog MARC records for the enki
Library shared collection (to date) and are making these freely available to
library members for loading into your catalogs. Records are automatically
created from the data we get from publishers, and are therefore relatively
minimal. The 856 MARC info includes the URL for your library patrons to
link to the enkilibrary.org record. Staff may wish to edit the subfields to
match your ILS’s conventions for hyperlinked text within that field.
6. Next Steps
a. Marketing and more hands-on Staff Training: Catching Up
b. Development of national marketplace for acquisitions. Califa is part of
ongoing planning and discussion via the DPLA (Digital Public Library of
America).
c. Individual buying for individual libraries similar to OverDrive Advantage
d. Self-Publishing and hosting sel-published material
Notes
• 2013 launched beta
• 2013/2014 opened up for all Califa members
• enki is different than the other eBook platforms your library may have.
• eBook platform built on open source code
• We own all the titles
• Purchase content directly from publishers
• We have never paid retail
• Almost 40,000 titles (only about 5,000 are Smashwords)
• Shared collection
• 4:1 hold ratio
• Epub format
Will need:
• Adobe Digital Editions
• Bluefire app (overdrive)
Catalog
• Home page
• Carousel
• Search – keyword or subject
• Results
• Refine search
Check Out Book
• Can check out 10 books at one time
• Check out books for 21 days
• Can put 10 books on hold at a time
• No Overdue Fines
• No renewal feature, but if no one is waiting you can check it out again right
away
• Can return books early
Deleting Book
• All books check out for 21 days
• From your account in enki library can return now (right side)
• Computer – delete from adobe editions (library)
• Device – delete from device (may need to be plugged into computer
NOOK)
Download to Read on:
Browser
Computer
Tablet
eReader
Publishers from whom we have ordered titles for the shared collection:
ABDO
Actrace
Akashik
Booktrope
Book View Cafe
BQB Publishing
Britannica
CJ Lyons
Cool Gus
Crossroads
Dzanc
F+W Media
Henery Press
Independent Publishers Group: Publishers included in IPG are listed on their site.
Infobase
Information Today
Jukepop Serials
Kensington (read press release)
Namelos
National Highlights
New Harbinger
Permanent Press
Poisoned Pen Press
Raw Dog Screaming Press
Rowman & Littlefield
SheWrites Press
Smashwords
University of California Press
Workman
Xist
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