Post #1
On Changing Library Services
Melissa Brisbin, on behalf of Library Link NJ in a TechEx series on the future of library technology services.
Library services are changing, offering more access to content and brand new applications. We will look at several over the next month. We will begin by examining mainstream services that include streaming or downloading content.
Libraries have the option to offer streaming music and movies, but we are not alone. Streaming is extremely popular, with offerings in consumer products with free or fee-based subscriptions, such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu, Pandora Radio, Google Play Movies/Music, or YouTube, just to name a few. There are products that also offer patrons and customers similar access to eBook content. Let's look a few that could compete with library services:
Options for Everyone:
eBooks and audiobooks. ($9.99/month, 700,000+ titles) Read on any device via app or browser. Publications include offerings of Pottermore, 14 Amazon imprints, and a lot of self-published* works. You may also want to read the recent article revolving around authors' reaction to the Kindle Unlimited subscription service, Amazon Offers All-You-Can-Eat Books. Authors Turn Up Noses, which appeared in The New York Times.
eBooks. ($8.99/month, plus 30,000 audiobooks for an additional fee) Unlimited access to over 500,000 titles. Available as an app to mobile devices, including Apple iOS, Google Play (Android), Kindle Fires, Nook HD, and Windows Phones. Also available to PC or Mac users via a browser. Publishers include HarperCollins and Smashwords (self-published/Indie book distributor*).
ebooks only. ($9.95/month) Unlimited access to over 500,000 titles. Available as an app to mobile devices, including Apple iOS, Google Play (Android) and Kindle Fires. Currently not available to PC users. Publishers include HarperCollins (10,000 titles), Simon & Schuster, and Smashwords. (SMASHWORDS!)
Options for Kids:
eBooks and video. (Subscriptions starting at $9.99/month) Apple iOS or Kindle Fire, although Android and web browser versions are due soon. Unlimited access, but 5 checkouts at a time. Includes 400 books and 100 educational and exclusive videos.
*Note that self-published works are available in 3 venues. Self-published titles are becoming a huge and important part of the eBook world. Just look at the overwhelming success of Fifty Shades of Grey or titles from Amanda Hocking. In the third quarter of 2014, self published works ranked as the top 6th publisher, according to Digital World.
Next week, we will look at streaming/downloading services for libraries that can compete with consumer products.
Post #2
On Changing Library Services
Melissa Brisbin, on behalf of Library Link NJ in a TechEx series on the future of library technology services.
Library vendors are now offering streaming services, either to a PC or laptop (Windows or Mac OS) or a multitude of mobile devices. These services can either allow for multiple-user access or offline accessibility, depending on the service and the end-users' hardware. Streaming is an option for either a traditional PC or laptop (may require a browser extension as well) or mobile devices. Mobile users also have the option to download a title to their device in order to view content when they are offline; however, PC/Mac users may often be limited to only streaming. Downloading, especially when it comes to films, is usually an option for mobile users only.
Let’s look at some of the services that are currently available to libraries:
Access to movies, music audiobooks and television shows with 190,000 titles. PC and Laptops must have an Internet connection to stream. (Google Chrome users will need to install the WideVine plug-in). Mobile devices, iOS, Android and Kindle Fire, can stream or download content to view offline. Patrons will need to create an account with a username and password, as well as provide a library card number. Pay-per-download model. No annual/setup subscription fee, but hoopla does require a one-time good faith deposit. MARC records are available and all content is curated by Midwest Tape, LLC.
A streaming movie service only; downloading is not available. Includes 4500 titles, such as documentaries, short films, film festivals (Cannes, Tribeca, etc), and featured films. Many titles are exclusive to the service. Stream to any mobile device or PC/laptop via a browser. Annual fee. Public performance rights for every title. Available through Recorded Books, Inc.
A streaming film service; downloading is not available. Films on demand includes 18,000+ titles. Stream content to any mobile device or PC/laptop via a browser. More than half of their content is exclusive and includes: BBC, PBS, A&E, TED, and National Geographic. Unlimited, simultaneous use of titles. MARC records and performance rights are included. Films on Demand offers solutions available for academic institutions, and schools. Available through Films Media Group.
A streaming movie service; downloading is not available. OverDrive has 6800+ titles. Stream to any mobile device or PC/laptop via a browser. 2 usage models are available: pay-per-use (metered access) or one title/one user. Titles checkout for 48 hours. Titles will be part of the OverDrive landing page. OverDrive allows for content curation and development, as opposed to access to all titles, so your library can choose titles to purchase.
A streaming, DRM-free movie outlet. Accessible via an annual subscription. Stream titles to any mobile device or PC/laptop via a browser. Mobile apps available for iOS and Android users. Patrons can access 3 titles per week. Freegal services are available from Library Ideas, LLC.
Download music service, with a weekly download limit. Streaming is available when patrons create playlists. Available via an annual subscription. 7 million titles, 28,000 labels. Stream to any mobile device or PC/laptop via a browser. Mobile apps available for iOS and Android users. Music videos are available. Formats: MP3 for music; MP4 for video. New releases are readily available every Tuesday. Freegal Music uses a token system. For example, patrons can have 5 tokens per week, so they could download 3 music titles (one token each) and 1 music video (2 tokens). Freegal services are available from Library Ideas, LLC.
Access to free documentaries. Website that has curated 4800+ titles from around the Internet. Search genres. This is not a paid service, but a website that offers free content.
mbrisbin [at] chplnj.org
(856) 903-1243