Public Libraries: Ebook Lending Pilot Project Launching Today in UK

BookTrade.info Has Posted the Complete Announcement
From the Announcement:

The Publishers Association (PA) and the Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) have today announced the launch of a yearlong pilot for e-lending in public libraries. The aim of the pilot is to carry out real-time, real-world research into the impact of ebook lending in public libraries on authors, publishers and on the library service so that a suitable and sustainable model for all stakeholders can be found.
[Clip]
William Sieghart, Author of the Sieghart Review: “The digital revolution in the UK publishing industry is going to transform the way books are borrowed, and it is vital that libraries explore how to make e-lending practical for their customers. This is an important step.”

Read the Complete Announcement
From The Bookseller:

Library visitors in the four pilot areas – Peterborough, Newcastle, Windsor and Maidenhead, and Derbyshire – will be able to access a list of over 1,000 titles not currently on offer in other authorities for e-lending. This will include new releases, which will be phased in during the pilot year. Loans will be for either seven or 21-day periods.
Society of Chief Librarians (SCL) president Janene Cox said the pilots would be “the first step in what will hopefully be an excellent result for libraries as we are able to offer more e-book loans across the country”.

Read the Complete Report
See Also: Two-Year Pilot Project Begins That Will Provide Public Libraries & Their Users With Free Access to Scholarly Articles (Feb. 3, 2013)
See Also:  A National Ebook Library Lending Program Goes Live at Public Libraries in the Netherlands (Jan. 22, 2014)
See Also: UK Government Commission Releases Review of E-Lending in Public Libraries (March 27, 2013)

Filed under: Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Public Libraries, Publishing