Ebook Meeting Minutes

November 2010

ASRT Meeting Minutes - E-books

The Adult Services Roundtable meeting took place on November 16, 2010 at Emmet O’Neal Library.

In attendance were:
Theresa Davis (Hoover) Dianne Clark (Bessemer) Bonnie Bannister (Warrior)
Sally Sizemore (Hoover) Patricia Guarino (Hoover) Mary Donlevy (Emmet O’Neal)
Jared Millet (BPL) Deni Owens (Hoover) Katie Moellering (Emmet O’Neal)

Members of ASRT discussed the issue of ebooks. It was mentioned that the website would be re-designed to reflect new content including more drop down options for patrons to choose from. There is also a “buy it now” option which allows patrons to purchase titles directly rather than checking them out. A portion of the proceeds comes back to JCLC. In general, the website should have a cleaner look and better organization.

We discussed the forms of software required when a patron downloads title for the first time. In addition we discussed some of the problems patrons have reported when downloading.

Patricia Guarino told us Hoover will host meetings on a regular basis to cover developments and other issues with downloadable audio and ebooks. She also mentioned a project funded by Overdrive - an ebook accessibility program. called LEAP through which our library members apply and their fees are paid by Overdrive.

Information and an application can be found here:
http://www.overdrive.com/files/LEAP.pdf

Hoover will be offering classes once a month on using ebooks. Staff from Barnes & Noble will be on hand to provide information on downloading, browsing the store and the library’s websiteas well as features of the Nook, how to download, etc. The library cannot and will not sell the Nook or take orders.

One of our members reported that Overdrive’s blog is very good and offers lots of tips and advice to its users.

Overdrive’s blog can be found here:
http://overdriveblogs.com/library/

Remember, there is also a wiki for JCLC library staff to use. If you would like access to it, go to the Shared Resources section of the JCLC intranet. For a password to add to or edit the wiki, please email Elizabeth Swift

Our next meeting will be January 18, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at Emmet O’Neal Library.

Katie Moellering

Emmet O'Neal Library