NAPLE E-book workshop Sander van Kempen & Ted van der Togt May 11th 2016, The Hague

Contents Role of the library Values of the library Distinguish from commercial parties Architectural choices

Remarks Digital ≠ Physical (don’t get stuck in old models) Digital libraries are part of a much larger ecosystem (where roles are being renegotiated, and there are big players) Everybody is learning, let’s share experiences We need standards to cooperate

Role Presenting digital items is different from physical Not restricted to unique ‘shelve spaces’ Most services still old style: online catalogue or pages to browse through collection Digital opens up many different ways for different users Lots of work (online bookshops have already large editorial teams…) Question: Discovery and promotion of reading is an important role for the library, and the way we do it should set us apart from commercial e-book services – but how?

Values Trustworthy (content is collected / reviewed by professionals ) Independent (content is not restricted to certain publishers for reason of profit or market monopolies) Authentic (content is not falsified, does not contain malware) Balanced (content is non-dogmatic viz. religion, politics etc.) Accessible (content can be accessed by everyone, regardless of impairment or financial position) Expert (content is curated and promoted by librarians; experts in literature and reading) Question: Are these values reflected in current e-book services?

Library proposition compared to commercial services In many countries discussion about ‘subsidized’ vs commercial Pricing of content is dictated by 5% of the titles Often libraries do not have much influence on ‘purchasing policies’ of distributors Often libraries cannot influence presentation side Libraries are pressured on their core image image as the ‘good guys’ by some publishers who brand them as enemies of authors Question: How can libraries bring about peace in the book industry and help stakeholders find a way to collaborate for the greater good?

Architectural choices If libraries just ‘forward’ a commercially end-to-end service, the strategic choices will be made for them. By splitting up services like Library Simplified did, libraries have more control on what they offer (from different sources) and on the (different) ways they present that to patrons. In case of the Dutch situation we are analyzing the impact of adapting the LS approach. If more European libraries would follow the LS approach the necessary software components would become more generic and implementations more affordable.

Questions?