ReadersFirst

 

In June 2012 a joint statement was released by a coalition over 70 libraries in the US and Canada directed specifically to the eContent aggregators.  The libraries have developed four principles aimed at improving the library customers experience.    Readers First demand that eContent providers offer products that allow users to:
 
  • Search and browse a single comprehensive catalog with all of a library’s offerings at once, including all e-books, physical collections, programs, blogs, and donor opportunities. Currently, content providers often only allow searches within the products they sell, depriving users of the comprehensive library experience.
  • Place holds, check-out items, view availability, manage fines and receive communications within individual library catalogs or in the venue the library believes will serve them best, without having to visit separate websites (libraries, not distributers, should be enabled to manage all interactions with users).
  • Seamlessly enjoy a variety of e-content. To do this, libraries must be able to choose content, devices and apps from any provider or from multiple providers, without bundling that limits a library’s ability to serve content they purchase on platforms of their choice.
  • Download e-books that are compatible with all readers, from the Kindle to the Nook to the iPad and so on.
 
Since releasing the joint statement the eBook aggregator 3M in partnership with the ILMS Polaris and Sirsi Dynix in partnership with Baker and taylor appear to be attempting to adhere to the principals of Readers First.
 
In January 2014 ReadersFirst published, A Guide to Library E-Book Vendors which is available for free.   The guide will be particularly useful to those libraries that do not as yet offer eBooks to their communities and libraries contemplating expanding their existing offerings.  eBook vendors are objectively rated in accordance to the key principals advocated by the ReadersFirst coalition.  

Further Reading:

Kelly Michael, 2013. Top Ebook Distributor, ILS Vendors to have Sitdown With ReadersFirst Library Coaltion. Available from http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2013/01/ebooks/top-ebook-distributors-ils-vendors-to-have-sitdown-with-readersfirst-library-coalition/
 
Kelly, Michael, 2013. ReadersFirst, Vendors Search for a New Library Lending Model. Available from:  http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2013/01/ebooks/readersfirst-vendors-search-for-a-new-lending-model/
 
Kozlowski, Michael, 2012. 3m Adopts Support for the ReadersFirst Initiative. Available from http://goodereader.com/blog/e-book-news/3m-adopts-support-for-the-readersfirst-initiative/
 
ReadersFirst Content Access Requirements (DRAFT)  http://readersfirst.org/ReadersFirst-Content-Access-Requirements.pdf
 
updated 31/1/2014