BIBLIOTHEKSPOLIZEI | UNIT 411The EBook headache

Starting at the start.

Before we get all up in Amazon’s grill, we should take a look back to see how all this crazy stuff eBook drama got started.

After all, those who don’t known something something will have to something something.

Michael Hart

Project Gutenberg founder Michael Hart created the first ebook after deciding to type the US Declaration of Independence into a computer in 1971. Yeah, man 1971!

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/sep/08/michael-hart-inventor-ebook-dies

The Dynabook

Dynabook

"The Dynabook concept, created by Alan Kay in 1968,described what is now known as a laptop computer or (in some of its other incarnations) a tablet or slate computer with nearly eternal battery life and software aimed at giving children access to digital media. Adults could also use a Dynabook, but the target audience was children.“ http://bit.ly/2H4ygI

The Data Diskman

The Data Discman

“The Data Discman's purpose was for a quick access to electronic reference information on a pre-recorded disc. Searching for information on disc were entered using a QWERTY-style keyboard and utilized the "Yes" and "No" keys.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Data_Discman

Forgive the Wikipedia Cheese

Moving Along

Back in 1998 libraries had eBooks. Word. “August 1998, netLibrary [http://www.netlibrary.com]

was founded. This privately held company has attracted funding from a wide array of sources, venture capitalists, as well as Internet and media companies such as McGraw-Hill. In the 2 years since its founding, netLibrary has worked to provide an end-to-end solution that includes everything from digital conversion to distribution.” http://bit.ly/ADvTUH

Why the history tour?

The eBook isn’t new nor is the concept of iPad or iPhone, etc. Technological advances and exploitation make them possible, they are not gifts from the gods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foxconn#Controversies

E-Readers

When E-Readers became affordable they became gifts. http://nyti.ms/bF0nvw

When the receiver of the gift realized that it would cost money for books they started to head to the library…

E-Readers

Now that they head to the library, the libraries have to get eBooks…and show people how to use them…and explain the different polices for them…and in a way start subsidizing tech support for those devices and the companies that offer eBook services.

Tax dolla dolla bill ya’ll

Since libraries “have eBooks” and managing expectations of the public is like drinking water out of a fire hose, libraries are in a pickle. Now we have a new expense, new expectations, shrinking budgets, and at the same time we are making E-Readers more sexy because we have eBooks.

One more time

I say unto you, we make getting an E-Reader cooler because owners can come to the library and get eBooks.

I really want you think about that point.

Dangers of EBooks• Amazon requires users to identify themselves to get an ebook.• • In some countries, including the US, Amazon says the user cannot own the ebook.• • Amazon requires the user to accept a restrictive license on use of the ebook.• • The format is secret, and only proprietary user-restricting software can read it at all.• • An ersatz “lending” is allowed for some books, for a limited time, but only by• specifying by name another user of the same system. No giving or selling.• • To copy the ebook is impossible due to Digital Restrictions Management in the player.• and prohibited by the license, which is more restrictive than copyright law.• • Amazon can remotely delete the ebook using a back door. It used this back door in 2009• to delete thousands of copies of George Orwell's 1984.• http://stallman.org/articles/ebooks.pdf

• MAKE IT BIGGER !!

Where are we?

We are paying for something we don’t own under some shady businesses while betraying some of the core values of our profession.

We has a bit of a fail.

What to do?

Fight Back

• Keep ALA honest and email them with your concerns. http://bit.ly/zDq7I5

• Keep the pressure up on these companies in social media.

• Remember that 1,000 people can represent those of hundreds of millions. http://bit.ly/b2OnCS

Stay Strong