Based on conversations with publishers and deliberations on the ebook market, the ALA today released «Ebook Business Models for Public Libraries» (PDF file) a report that describes general features and attributes of the
current ebook environment and outlines constraints and restrictions of current business models.
In short, he believes that publishers are protecting print by pricing their own ebooks out of the market because they can't compete effectively in
an ebook environment.
«Discovery in
the ebook environment goes beyond search — it is the end to end path that a reader takes in finding, assessing, and making a decision to invest in a book, whether that investment is time or money,» continued Tara Robenalt, Director of Product Management at HighWire.
Print emulation in
an ebook environment is never completely possible, but ePUBs are also capable of adaptations that print can not accomplish.
But I also recognize that Amazon has received a lot of criticism for the way it does business (as have many big publishers, to be clear), and further, puts out
an ebook environment where you do not really own your ebooks.
I have always accepted that Amazon's support for indie authors was, in part, a response to the unwillingness of traditional publishers to embrace ebooks and experiment in the new online /
ebook environment.
An ebook is one of many books offered in
an ebook environment such as Kindle, nook, or Apple's iBookstore, where readers are already shopping.
Library leaders and other ALA members were frustrated by their inability to change
this ebook environment.
IDPF Digital Book 2013 will cover the broadening spectrum of business, marketing, technology, and operation issues for content creators who need to optimize their businesses for the current
eBook environment, and more importantly will help them advance to the next level.
Excellent review of the current
ebook environment.