eBooks: Innovations Continue for 3M Cloud Library, New Publishing Agreements Announced

From a 3M Announcement:

Beta site users [including St. Paul Public Library, Kansas Digital Library Consortium, and the Mobile Public Library of Alabama] are now discovering the 3M Cloud Library’s outstanding ease of use, as 3M has created the easiest way to install and start using its app. By eliminating the need for an Adobe ID, 3M allows patrons to simply install the app, select their library, and enter their library card number, after which they can browse the system, check out and read books. The 3M Cloud Library never asks for personal information from patrons, and doesn’t require an email address or a new password like many competitive systems require. All that is needed is valid library card number in good standing.
3M supports the philosophy that libraries should own their content after purchase. By working with the State Library of Kansas to help transfer content from their previous eBook provider, 3M is discovering publishers that support that philosophy as well. As a digital distributor of content, 3M has designed the Cloud Library system to support library eBook license ownership after the sale. Additionally, if a customer wishes to terminate their relationship with 3M and move to a new platform provider, 3M will not restrict the library from transferring their eBook licenses to a new platform.
“Our stance is that ownership of e-content should not be treated any differently than physical content,” said Kansas state librarian Joanne Budler. “We are excited to transition to the 3M Cloud Library, which supports us in this philosophy and will be a valuable partner as we continue building our digital collection.”
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Additionally at ALA, the 3M Cloud Library will showcase new publishing agreements. The growing list of collaborating publishers now includes Harlequin Publishing, Berret Koehler, Creative Content Digital, Holiday House, Kensington, McFarland Publishers, Paradigm, University of Mississippi Press, F+W Media, Quayside, Skyhorse, Loyola Press, Gibbs-Smith, Naxos, and Baker Publishing. These new agreements now bring content from more than 40 publishers, providing well over 100,000 titles to the eBook Lending Service.

Direct to 3M Cloud Library Web Site ||| 3M Library System Homepage

Filed under: Associations and Organizations, Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Digital Collections, Interactive Tools, Libraries, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries, Publishing