Small ebook publishers apparently excluded from Amazon/Overdrive deal with libraries for Kindle ebook lending
It seems that the issue I brought up in my original comment is real, though the actual impact may vary from library to library, depending on internal policies and how a library works with Overdrive. Jean’s library system in the UK seems to have worked out the kinks, but at least some libraries in the US haven’t. Why do we Americans always seem to be behind the curve?
Adders in the grass here…. Beware!
So, if you combine this with the problems of data collection that has upset numerous librarians all over the world (read post on this), it would appear that as the Dutch put it, there is a large nest of Adders lurking in the grass around this system that Amazon and Overdrive have put in place for libraries to lend Kindle ebooks, and it all obviously needs to be looked at very carefully by librarians.
Links to Joe’s various websites:
http://www.historicalseaport.org/
http://historicalseaport.blogspot.com/
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So, is it a case of Goliath flattening poor little David, or is there a realistic way in which David can win this particular fight?
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Vicki:
November 2nd, 2011 at 1:48 pm
I came up against exactly the same problem when I wanted to donate my books to my local library here in Australia. They were keen to have them, but it had to be through OverDrive, which proved to be a big brick wall.
Richard Adin:
November 2nd, 2011 at 7:23 pm
It is the conundrum of too few resources available. Because of funding shortages here in the United States, libraries have to consolidate their resources, which means Overdrive. I don’t know how libraries are supported in other countries, but in the U.S., it is often the case that they are special taxing districts, which means that voters have to approve being taxed to fund libraries. As the U.S. moves ever rightward, that funding through taxes is increasingly jeopardized. The right is simply unwilling to support any entity that does not agree 110% with it, including the removal of objectionable books from library shelves.
The problem authors face with Overdirve are a result of too much power being concentrated in 1 company’s hands, the same problem we will face as Amazon grows from behemoth to colossus. The hope for authors may be 3M’s forthcoming library initiative. We’ll have to wait and see.
Universally, the problem Joe and Vicki faced with libraries is also the problem some wonderful indie authors face in getting consideration from traditional publishers. Thirty years ago, prior to the consolidation in the book industry at all levels, these were not problems. They became problems as the fruits of consolidation, something for which there is no ready solution.
Joe Follansbee:
November 3rd, 2011 at 6:38 am
I agree with Richard that part of the problem lies with Overdrive’s dominance of the ebooks-in-libraries space. If 3M’s Cloud Library catches on with libraries, Overdrive may be forced by competitive pressures to deal with indie publishers as a way to add value to their services. But that’s likely a long way off. The great weakness of indie publications viz a viz libraries is their higher cost per unit relative to large publishers with thousands of titles. We could all be in our graves before Overdrive decides it likes us.
I believe a better strategy may be to appeal to libraries themselves, and their strong sense of mission. They see themselves primarily as a local public service, in many places as vital as streets and police. (There’d be riots here in Seattle if our libraries were truly threatened.) If they can be persuaded that including indie ebook publishers fits their service mission, they would put pressure on the Overdrives and 3Ms of the world and with their market clout, make something happen.