Arizona’s State Library and BiblioLabs Partner, Will Launch New Collection of Arizona-related eBooks and Self-Publishing Module

Word of a new partnership and new service in the works from Arizona’s State Library in Phoenix. The self-publishing module that’s part of the deal is a smart and timely service will likely appeal to both the library community an library users. Of course, it can only appeal to these and other user groups IF it’s promoted and marketed correctly. These days you not only have to explain a service (both it’s availability and how it works) but also why someone should use it. How can it help the user?
From the Arizona State Library in Phoenix:

The Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records has signed an agreement with BiblioBoard to launch Arizona-related eBooks on BiblioBoard Library, a multi-media content delivery platform.
[Our Emphasis] The two organizations will work together to obtain content, which the State Library will own and BiblioLabs will host. In addition to hosting commercially available eBooks about Arizona, BiblioBoard will include a self-publishing module for local authors with book reviews and a rating system.
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The service, to be called “Reading Arizona,” will be available through the State Library’s website with geo-location access allowing registration from within Arizona. All of the content will be available for unlimited, multi-user access for optimal patron experience, and patrons will be able to access up to three books at a time on their offline bookshelves.

Content

“The collection will focus on books about Arizona, including fiction, histories, natural history, family history and travel guides,” explained Laura Stone, Digital Content Director for the State Library.

BiblioLabs is based in Charleston, SC. We’ve mentioned the company and their BiblioBoard product (and apps) multiple times on infoDOCKET. A few examples can be found below.
We’re also embedding a RECENT TedX Charleston talk that was made available online last week by BiblioLabs Founder and CEO, Andrew Roskill titled, “Get a Read on This: Libraries Bridging the Digital Divide”
The Debut of Several New Products From BiblioBoard; Company Signed 370 New Publishing Partners to Platform During Q4, 2013 (January 23, 2014)
Biblioteca Nacional de Colombia Extends Partnership With BiblioLabs, Digital Collection Now Available Worldwide (January 14, 2013)
The British Library 19th Century Historical Collection App Wins Publishing Innovation Awards (January 24, 2012)

Filed under: Archives and Special Collections, Associations and Organizations, Awards, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Publishing