Funding: IMLS Announces $100K Grant to OCLC, Money Will Help Identify Library E-Book Strategies for Public Libraries
Good to see some money going towards helping solve the many problems with ebook access at public libraries especially after today’s Pew Internet report.
We share some thoughts on this topic in our post/summary about today’s Pew report.
We hope that OCLC research takes into account not only what’s happening today but what’s going to happen in the future, for example the strong possibility of “Netflix-like” services for readers to access ebooks as well as making sure that all of the attention we’re giving ebooks today doesn’t cost us even more than it already does in the long run. These issues are not only financially related. We also would like to see OCLC work on ebook privacy.
However, event with the IMLS/OCLC announcement, to remain relevant public libraries need to be about much more than a place for users to access ebooks. We know this but do users understand or simply know what we have to offer? Sad to say, not likely.
Now, Today’s Announcement From IMLS:
Today the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) announced a $99,957 grant to OCLC for “The Big Shift: Advancing Public Library Participation in Our Digital Future.” The purpose of the grant is to more fully understand the challenges that U.S. public libraries face in providing e-book content to borrowers.
“Now is the time to work together so that the rise of e-books does not result in a society where content is actually less accessible than it was in the era of print,” said IMLS Director Susan Hildreth.”As a society we depend on the free flow of information and ideas to strengthen our economy and our democracy. I am confident that we will find new strategies that embrace exciting new digital innovations and continue to deliver essential library services.”
The rapid increase in e-book ownership in the past year alone has created an even greater demand for e-content at U.S. public libraries. In fact the number of public libraries that offer e-books has doubled in the past five years — to 76 percent from 38 percent, according to a new American Library Association report. Thirty-nine percent of libraries also offer e-readers for check-out to their patrons.
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“Public libraries provide equal opportunity to their communities,” said Patrick Losinski, CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Library in Columbus, OH and advisor to the program. “And in a digital age, this must include digital content. This program complements ongoing work to engage public library leaders in developing specific strategies that will restore public access to commercial content in any format.”
This awards builds on an IMLS-supported public library discussion hosted by Martin Gomez at the Los Angeles Public Library in November 2011. Gomez (University of Southern California) and Brian Bannon (Chicago Public Library) will also provide advice on the program’s grant activities, which will be closely coordinated with the American Library Association’s Digital Content and Libraries Working Group, chaired by Sari Feldman (Cuyahoga County Public Library) and Robert Wolven (Columbia University).
The purpose of the IMLS award is to ensure that all Americans continue to have access to commercially produced content through their local public libraries even as formats change. Grant activities will include the following:
– Investigating the nature and extent of challenges public libraries are facing in this area, and identifying possible solutions
– A convening of public library leaders and others to set specific strategies to ensure public access to digital content
– Reporting on strategies that all public libraries can use to advance their own work in local communities
“Our members tell us that the primary concern in public libraries today is keeping communities connected to information and communication technologies, and to content as it shifts to digital formats,” said Cathy De Rosa, Global Vice President of Marketing for OCLC. “We appreciate continued IMLS investment in research and support for public libraries as they work to ensure equal access for all.”
Filed under: Awards, Funding, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.