1.Barbara Schleihagen, German Library Association E-books in German Public Libraries: Challenges and Solutions EBLIDA-NAPLE conference with FESABID One profession, one future?27 May 2011, Malaga

2. Contents

Background: Development of German e-book market, consumer behaviour, German public libraries

E-lending in German public libraries: Divibib GmbH

How it works and why it is attractive to libraries

Some statistics: libraries, digital items, digital lending

Challenges and solutions: patrons, publishers, librarians

3. Background: German e-book market in 2010

2 Mioe-books sold

540.000e-book buyers

0,5 %of the customer book market

5%of the total turnover in publishing

16%of total turnover in publishing expected in 2015

Available now are ca.20.000titles (Libreka)

(figures 2010, presentation Brsenverein, 11.03.2011)

4. Background: German consumer behaviour

54%of all Germans consider buying e-books

81%of the under 30 years old

(Bitkom Webmonitor March 2011)

They are interested in:

• Scientific textbooks (28%)

• Travel guides (28%)

• Advice books (27%)

• Non-fiction (26%)

• Fiction (14%)

5. Background: German public libraries

82 Mioinhabitants

10,021public libraries

660,000patrons visit our libraries each day

10,82 Mioreaders are registered library users

200 Miopatrons visit our libraries each year

362 Miomedia units are held by our libraries

466 Miomedia units are borrowed by users/year

6. E-lending in German public libraries: Divibib GmbH

Founded in 2006, started in 2007 with 4 pilot libraries

Subsidiary of ekz.bibliotheksservice GmbH

Offers complete service with all components:

• Implementation of online platform as digital library branch

• Internet based service without installation needed

• Technical support for running services

• Negotiation of licences and distribution of digital contents

• Subject indexing and delivery of catalogue entries in MAB2

7. How it works

Registered library users

Visit homepage of local library

Browse digital content (format, topic, full text)

Put interesting materials into library basket

Log-in with personal data before lending

Download of materials to PC/e-book reader

Library determines length of lending/no. of items

8. Why it is attractive to libraries

Extension of service offer to 24/7

New user groups (employed people 30-40 years)

Better offer in rural areas next to mobile libraries

Reduction of space/maintainance costs

Less administration

One supplier that negotiates on behalf of libraries

Single platform for delivery to the user

Package possible, individual titles possible

9. Some statistics: libraries using Divibib GmbH

Offered by200public libraries in Germany

=9,3%of all public libraries in Germany

Austria (5), Switzerland (4), Italy (1)

individual or consortia purchasing

10. Some statistics: media offer by Divibib GmbH

50.000media units negotiated

17.600media units on offer

At least100new media added per week

mainly e-books added

11. Some statistics: media offer by Divibib GmbH

E-paper/e-magazine: 8 subscription packages/23 magazines

E-books: 13.000

E-audio: 3.200

E-video: 700

E-Music: 350

12. Some statistics: digital copies in stock Divibib 20.277 19.620 15.977 eVideo 20.521 10.697 1.782 ePub 116.347 120.929 153.957 eMusic 252.023 243.141 183.117 eBook 83.034 77.543 57.012 eAudio 642.057 618.459 540.598 All formats 16.05.2011 2010 2009 Media format 13. Some statistics: digital lending 22.750 55.416 41.982 eVideo 48.105 25.364 852 ePub 10.501 28.190 25.188 eMusic 185.323 403.821 243.443 eBook 149.529 300.304 170.812 eAudio 523.446 1.038.183 594.561 All formats 16.05.2011 2010 2009 Media format 14. Example: Berlin Public library system

20.000 Berliners or 5% of all registered library patrons

Access to ca. 10.000 titles

Fiction: 500 titles

In high demand: advice books

in law and economics

Increasing loan figures

• 2009: 100.000

• 2010: 140.000

15. Challenges for all

Various data formats

• PDF

• ePub

• Mobipocket

• AZW by Amazon

16. Challenges for all

Many reading devices

• Reader on E-Ink-Basis

• Tablet PCs

• Smartphones

17. Challenges for library patrons

Restricted media offer (especially for current feature films, music and popular bestsellers)

Access to e-media often not integrated into library catalogues

Problems with digital rights management software (Adobe DRM Systems, Microsoft Windows Media Digital Rights Management)

Cannot return e-books earlier

18. Solutions for library patrons

Media offer: negotiations still very difficult

Library catalogue: Some library software producers offer interface, DiviBiB offers MAB data and media covers for integration into catalogues

DRM problems: improved new version of Adobe DRM

New: Apps for iPad and iPhone for e-books in e-Pub

Android platform to follow this year

19. Problems with publishers

Often no library licence for most popular titles due to

Lack of authors rights

Limited experiences with e-books

Limited knowledge of consumer behaviour

Loss of profit on books bought but never read

Fear of private copies being sold in a consumer market of used e-books

20. Problems with publishers

Current business model: one digital copy to one reader at a time

Remote access

21. Solutions in cooperation with publishers

Undertake studies that will test various business models in various libaries:

• Annual subscription model (Bloomsbury)

• Demand-driven acquision model (some university libraries)

• Simultaneous e-book use in first month only after publication

• Restriction-free lending for items likely to lead to sales

• Charging users? (Askews and Holts using PayPal)

Join forces with publishers as to not hamper access to information, regardless of format

22. Challenges for librarians

No financial means

Not seen as integrative part but as special offer

Lack of experiences in media and technology

No comprehensive study of user habits or user satisfaction with digital media available

Digital media not visible to library patrons

23. Solutions for librarians

Fundraising and Sponsoring for kick-off

Integration of e-media into library catalogue and library statistics

Nation-wide qualification campaign (associations!)

User study being planned by master students in region with 68.000 library patrons

Representative non-library user study being planned by German Library Association

24. Solutions for librarians

Visibility: Marketing tools available from DiviBib: digital frames, bookmarks, posters

Increased local media work at various occasions: new ebook reader, new offers, new applications

Increased advertisement in Internet: Homepage, Facebook, Twitter, Blog

Integrated in reference service and training offers

25. Free access to information regardless of format

Even in 20 years, there will still be a considerable numbers of digital immigrants. They may be just as digitally literate as the digital natives but may still prefer the printed book.

Also some young people might still want to access books, just as some older people are currently users of digital resources.

The library has to cater for both needs.

Prensky (2001) in: National Library of Scotland (2010): Thriving or Surviving? National Library of Scotland in 2030, p.

26.

What matters now

is for us to roll up our sleeves

and get down to business

27. Thank you!

Barbara Schleihagen

[email_address]

www.bibliotheksverband.de