Smashwords Library Direct complements Smashwords» existing relationships
with library aggregators.
Currently, Smashwords works
with library aggregators such as Axis 360 and 3M Cloud Library to use their own digital checkout systems.
My gut says that most libraries will continue to opt for working
with library aggregators such as Baker & Taylor, 3M Cloud Library, and others, because aggregators manage all the headache for the library, and also enable smaller purchases (this is why we will continue to aggressively support our library aggregator partners, both current and future - we want to give all libraries the broadest range of choices).
Not exact matches
So, my questions target Smashwords» processes and its relationships
with aggregators and
libraries: How will Smashwords retain its neutrality
with an offering like LibraryDirect?
We also had the opportunity to engage
with other parts of the book ecosystem besides publishers and
aggregators, such as authors and author groups, agents, booksellers, and smaller publishers who were making ebooks available to
libraries.
Page told conference delegates that «all the major trade publishers have agreed to work
with aggregators to make it possible for
libraries to offer e-book lending»
with the addition of certain «controls».
Although the vast majority of ebooks in
aggregator - supported eCollections are populated
with new titles, an old perception persists that new titles are embargoed or significantly delayed from digital availability and eCollections, leading some librarians to question whether mass purchasing requires
libraries to pay for the titles they don't want in order to get the ones they do want.
Polanka here focused on the quality of the content itself, the user experience, and the
aggregator's relationship
with publishers, all of which result in
libraries successfully integrating eCollections into their catalogs.
Libraries will also continue to experiment
with how those collections are built until their needs can be matched
with the business needs of publishers,
aggregators, and vendors and, more important, until users are given what they need.
Sowards here points to two possible challenges
libraries face
with subscription services: First, there may be overlap and duplication because
libraries already have purchased some books found in those eCollections through other channels and in other formats, and second, titles are sometimes pulled from eCollections — often without prior notice to the subscribing institution — because contractual agreements between publishers and subscription - package
aggregators may be subject to change.
Smashwords is working
with multiple
library aggregators, and is in the process of signing up additional
aggregators.
Despite the user - friendly devices and what they can offer from the e-book retailers, when it comes to the academic market, Amazon and B&N would do well to look at what the vendors and
aggregators are doing if they wish to streamline their systems to work more closely in tandem
with the systems already in place for
libraries.
The fact is, all the TV network sites seem to be just fine
with aggregators like Rippol and Clicker embedding their
libraries.