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EPA Releases Its National Library Network Strategic Plan FY2012-2014
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by Barbie E. Keiser
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On Thursday, June 23, the EPA released its National Library Network Strategic Plan FY2012-2014. The 3-year strategic plan addresses four key areas: EPA library network governance, services, collections (electronic and physical), and communications outreach and training. According to Deborah Balsamo, National Program Manager - EPA National Library Network, "[W]e developed our dream strategic plan based on current resource levels," recognizing that the phased, incremental implementation will have to be tempered in timing due to budget constraints being felt throughout federal government agencies. Seven EPA librarians worked on the strategic plan that was shared with internal stakeholders and reviewed by an advisory board from the Federal Library and Information Center Committee (FLICC) at the Library of Congress. FLICC recently presented the EPA National Library Network with its 2011 award in the large library information/center category, citing "demonstrated critical mission support, service innovation, and exceptional customer service."
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The British Library Joins Google Books
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by Barbara Quint
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Google Books continues its march through the national libraries of Europe with the announcement of a deal with The British Library (BL). Simon Bell, head of Strategic Partnerships and Licensing at the BL, reports that the BL is the fifth European nation to open its national library collection to Google Books over the last couple of years. The digitization project between Google and the BL will focus on 250,000 books and documents published between 1700 and 1870. The project will encompass up to 40 million digitized pages. Clearly out-of-copyright, the content will be available to all through both Google Books and the BL's own website.
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OverDrive Adds Simultaneous Access Ebook Suppliers to Catalog
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OverDrive announced the first group of a growing list of suppliers that will provide simultaneous access ebooks to libraries and schools in OverDrive's global network. Collections from Thomas Nelson, Encyclopaedia Britannica, Crabtree Publishing, and Lonely Planet will enable libraries to provide "always available" ebooks without waiting lists or holds, in addition to offering the publishers' titles under the one-copy/one-user model. Libraries will be able to choose from thousands of titles in subjects including Christian fiction and nonfiction, reference, young adult, children's, and travel. These publishers join existing simultaneous access ebook supplier Liquid Comics.
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Goodreads Ratings and Reviews to be Added to NoveList Products
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A new agreement between NoveList , a division of EBSCO Publishing, and Goodreads will allow reader ratings and book reviews from Goodreads to be incorporated into NoveList products. The agreement leverages the content of Goodreads, the largest social network for readers, adding additional content to the popular readers' advisory services.
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Elsevier and Ex Libris Group Announce Collaboration
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Elsevier and Ex Libris Group announced their collaboration to make the full text of SciVerse ScienceDirect journal articles and ebooks searchable in the Ex Libris Primo Central Index. Primo Central is an integral part of the Ex Libris Primo discovery and delivery solution, which enables library users to enjoy the full benefit of a one-stop service for their information needs. Primo enables users to explore their library's locally managed collections along with global and regional resources indexed in Primo Central.
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Sources for Free Ebooks and Ereader Software
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by Paula J. Hane
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In late May, BookExpo America week kicked off with IDPF's annual Digital Book 2011 conference. Judging from the product announcements and buzz from the events, ebooks are hot, hot, hot! Kobo, which partners with Borders, announced that its new $130 E-ink touchscreen reading device would be available in June. Barnes & Noble announced a $139 black-and-white E-Ink touchscreen e-reader. Amazon dropped the price of its $189 3G Kindle with Special Offers to $164. Amazon also reportedly told U.S. publishers that it will begin accepting files in EPUB format in the near future, and these files will be readable on the Kindle. With the acceleration of sales of ebook readers and so much interest in ebooks, it seems as if it's a good time to look at good sources to get free ebooks. I will also discuss free ereader software as an alternative to buying dedicated devices.
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