The PVLR-IG sponsored a forum at the ALA Annual Meeting on June 28, 2010 entitled “Patron-Driven Access for E-Books: Have We Finally Found the Solution?”
Panelist included:
Nancy Gibbs, Duke University Libraries
Matt Nauman, YBP Library Services
Kari Paulson, Ebook Library
John Riley, Busca, Inc.
Moderators: Elizabeth Lorbeer & Kim Steinle
Note Taker: Beth Hoskins
This panel represented library, vendor, and publisher perspectives on patron-driven acquisition of e-books. Gibbs spoke about Duke University’s participation in ebrary’s patron-driven pilot program and how it resulted in the library’s spending $25K in one month without publicizing the pilot to patrons. She identified areas where library workflow must change to accommodate patron-driven selection. Better matching routines and ease of loading and removing catalog records are two of the changes Gibbs felt were needed. Nauman spoke about patron-driven acquisition as the future of e-books and how this will change the role of book vendors, publishers, and librarians. He also talked about the “ideal patron-driven model,” which would include approval plans, business rules, and short-term content loans. Paulson spoke to EBL’s experience in the e-book industry and about tools EBL has created to assist librarians in administering patron-driven acquisitions. She pointed out that patron-driven acquisition should not be all-or-nothing, but more a tool to maximize library budgets through return-on-investment. Riley ended the panel with the perspective of a small publisher new to the e-books market and spoke to how e-books will enhance opportunities for the dissemination of content overseas. An overarching theme of the panel was the definition of an e-book “use” and how further clarification in this area will make patron-driven acquisition an appealing model for all parties.