Here are some interesting articles that discuss current trends in electronic collections as a service.
Kindle Unlimited and Libraries
Roskill, Andrew. (2014). Kindle Unlimited and Libraries. Library Journal. Retrieved from http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2014/08/opinion/kindle-unlimited-and-libraries-opinion/.
Libraries Are Not a "Netflix" for Books
Jensen, Kellie. (2014). Libraries Are Not a "Netflix" for Books. Book Riot. Retrieved from http://bookriot.com/2014/07/15/libraries-netflix-books/.
We Must Defend Public Libraries From the Threat of a Market-Based Ideological Framework Bailey, Dan. (2014). We Must Defend Public Libraries From the Threat of a Market-Based Ideological Framework. The London School of Economics and Political Science. Retreived from http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/public-libraries-fiscal-pressures-political-choices-and-the-public-good/
“Amazon’s war with publishing giant Hachette over e-book pricing has earned it a black eye in the media, with the likes of Philip Roth, James Patterson, and Stephen Colbert demanding that the online mega-store stand down. How did Amazon—which was once seen as the book industry’s savior—end up as Literary Enemy Number One? And how much of this fight is even about money? Keith Gessen reports.”
Gessen, Keith. (2014). The War of the Words. Vanity Fair. Retrieved from: http://www.vanityfair.com/business/2014/12/amazon-hachette-ebook-publishing
The Future of Libraries Has Little to Do with Books
Although this article examines libraries in the U.K., it points out issues that relate to the state of libraries in the U.S., “In a digital age that has left book publishers reeling, libraries in the world’s major cities seem poised for a comeback, though it’s one that has very little to do with books. The Independent Library Report—published in December by the U.K.’s Department for Culture, Media, and Sport—found that libraries across the nation are re-inventing themselves by increasingly becoming “vibrant and attractive community hubs,” focusing on the “need to create digital literacy—and in an ideal world, digital fluency.”
Spinks, Rosie. (2014). The Future of Libraries Has Little to Do with Books. GOOD. Retrieved from http://magazine.good.is/articles/public-libraries-reimagined
Discover Bibliotech in Bexar County, San Antonio, Texas. A paperless library that is opening a second branch.
McFarland, Matt. (2014, December 6). Libraries Without Physical Books Find a Niche in San Antonio. Washington Post. Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/innovations/wp/2014/12/16/libraries-without-physical-books-find-a-niche-in-san-antonio/
Being in a public library, I often hear patrons, staff, or friends and family reiterated how they still like the option of having a paper copy versus an eBook, for just about any title. This article discusses the fact that readers who choose paper, as opposed to electronic text, tend to have a better retention of information, are less stressed, and are more empathetic individuals. I thought it was an interesting take on reading preferences, habits, etc.
Science Has Great News for People Who Read Actual Books
Grate, Rachel. (2014). Science Has Great News for People Who Read Actual Books. Arts.MIc. Retrieved from http://mic.com/articles/99408/science-has-great-news-for-people-who-read-actual-books
Whither libraries? Publishing, data, and the new literary arts: to remain relevant in the long term, libraries will need to leverage the power of data
Johnson, B. (2014). Whither libraries? Publishing, data, and the new literary arts: to remain relevant in the long term, libraries will need to leverage the power of data. Computers in Libraries, 34(10), 6+. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?id=GALE%7CA394110600&v=2.1&u=nm_p_newmex&it=r&p=PPIS&sw=w&asid=b947df8f56b0a8de44b717fb785d6e4b
Melissa Brisbin
Cherry Hill Public Library
mbrisbin [at] chplnj.org
(856) 903-1243