Thanks to some librarians and vendors who monitor LM_NET, I have more information
to share about eBooks in the library -
Follett (Titlewave):
* Follett eBooks operate in a similar fashion to "real" books - only one
student at a time can read them, they can be checked out for use at home.
* Once checked out, they are automatically checked in on the due date.
There is no early check in, and no one else can view the book while it is checked
out.
* Follett eBooks must be downloaded to a disk or flash drive or other
removable media in order to be read outside the library. The downloadable version
requires an Adobe Acobat add-on called Adobe Digital Editions. It's a free
download from Adobe. It is my understanding that the file disappears (or at least
becomes unusable) once the due date is reached.
* One big advantage to Follett eBooks - if you order your books with
cataloging, they come ready to upload directly into Destiny. So when students
search for books, they also see the "electronic resource" (eBook)
Facts on File:
* Facts on File eBooks operate in a similar fashion to online databases.
You are issued a URL and a user name and password. Multiple students may use the
resources at one time, and the URL, user name and password work from any computer
with internet access, so no download is necessary.
* I didn't specifically ask about downloading to removable media, but the
books appear in pdf format and the book can be saved.
* There are two ways to "catalog" the eBooks. Since I also purchased the
"real" book, I can add an 856 tag with the URL for the eBook. Or, a separate MARC
record can be created for the eBook. I did not order cataloging from Facts on File
(just didn't bother, I don't know why), so they did not come with MARC records to
download.
* An alternate way to access the FoFeBooks would be to place a link on
your library's home page. This is what I do for online databases, and this might
be the easiest thing to do.
Thanks again to those of you who sent responses, and thanks to the Follett and
Facts on File reps who contacted me by e-mail and phone. I really appreciate all
the help. I was feeling really ignorant about the new technologies. Not so much
anymore, I think I'm finally getting the drift. I'm still not completely sold on
the idea of investing too much in eBooks; I'll have to see how these resources are
actually used by students and staff. Thanks again.
My apologies if this gets posted twice. My first try generated a message that it
had not been delivered, so I'm sending it again.
Diane Ferbrache
Teacher-Librarian
Hazen High School
1101 Hoquaim Ave NE
Renton, WA 98059
425-204-4206
[cid:image001.gif@01C96044.A8DD7C60]
Well, I received lots of responses, mostly more questions. The Follett ebooks
require Adobe Reader. If you have version 6 or 7, you don't need anything special,
but if you have version 8 or higher you will need an add-on - Adobe Digital
Additions. That's not required to preview the books, would be required on every
computer where students will be able to download the ebooks. Here's a bit more
information from the Follett sales rep -
-Follett ebooks are only available to 1 student at a time. If you want more than
one student to access that ebook, you have to buy another ebook in that title.
-There is no "check in" option with ebooks, you need to determine the check out
period. Therefore when a student downloads the ebook, and you establish the check
out time (normally 72 hours) once that 72 hours is up, the ebook then appears back
in the catalog for checkout again. The default download/checkout period is 3 days,
but you can change this.
-You cannot check in an ebook early, with the 72 hour default, this allows an
adequate amount of time to read, as well as quick enough for other students that
want to use it.
-You own this resource forever- no fees, etc. You own the marc record, you own the
ebook.
This helps explain some things, but not exactly what to do with the eBooks (free
ones) that I received from Facts on File. Here's what that e-mail said -
Your InfobaseeBook account has been set up by a product support specialist. Your
account information follows:
This was followed by a user name and password and a link. So, does that mean that
I should just post the link on my homepage? Or is there a way to connect this link
to my Destiny catalog? I've asked these questions of the rep, but haven't received
an answer yet. It looks like these work in a completely different manner from the
Follett ones. That could certainly be problematic if we are ordering e-books from
different vendors.
I'll keep you posted.
Diane Ferbrache
Teacher-Librarian
Hazen High School
1101 Hoquaim Ave NE
Renton, WA 98059
425-204-4206
Phoenix
Good Morning,
It seems everyone is grappling with the same questions about electronic
books and devices. I am posting a hit with the information I have
gathered so far. However, my information have narrowed to, who is the
best vendor to supply fiction ebooks for middle schoolers. We are
looking for current fiction.
This is what I know so far:
Kindles: You must buy a device. And circulation seems cumbersome. It
seems many titles are available through amazon. But I have yet to
figure out how to limit our search to middle school fiction. If anyone
can give me some tips, I would be grateful.
Overdrive Media: This is a new ebook source for me. I have only
looked at the website. It seems to have many titles. But I must
figure out cost, availability of middle school fiction titles, and necessary hardware to circulate the ebooks. Again any information about this vendor would be appreciated.
Follett: By far the easiest for me to circulate ebooks through. But
I am concerned about the availability of middle school fiction.
Mackin: Again seems to be easy to circulate through, but a concern
about the availability of titles. The Mackin rep gave an excellent
explaination of their services in a hit to LM_NET. This seems like one
place to inexpensively execute a one school one book program.
In conclusion not all the answers are here. But here are some of my
thoughts developed from the information I gathered. And, again any
answers to my continued questions would be appreaciated.
Thanks for all the answers,
Susan Voracek
Elementary Middle School Librarian
The American International School of Buenos Aires
(54) (11) 4851-1700 int. 220
1. How are you using e-books?
The same as any print book..as read alouds or supplements to other texts or information research.
2. Which vendors would you suggest for purchasing e-books? Why?
Follet.... I like the variety of books they have available and the learning curve is low.
3. Do you checkout the e-books to students? If so, how long do you allow?
Yes... as soon as they are done but so far only teachers have used the ebooks
4. What device are your students and teachers using to read the e-books?
The white board.
5. How have your teachers used the e-books?
See number 1. These teachers are slow to change but they are coming around.
6. Do you have any subscriptions to interactive books, like Capstone or Tumble Books? If so, what has been the response?
I have not as yet.
7. How do you receive the marc records for your e-books?
They came in the same record attachment in email as my other records. I designated them as ELL (like adding DVD or REF) so teachers will know its an ebook
T.K. Cassidy-Fleming, Media Specialist
proudly serving the staff and students
of Cedar Ridge Elementary
706-712-8400
285 Cedar Ridge Road
Dalton, GA 30721
We are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday, and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet. -- Margaret Mead
“Will my child graduate with a 21st century resume, or a 19th century transcript?” (Forbes magazine, June 2010)
Hi Jamie,
If you purchase one e-book it can be loaded on 6 Nooks. I think there is a way to download the ebook and add it to additional Nooks as a document as well. Lots of cool features too, including to ability to highlight, bookmark and take notes. Youcan see and play with a Nook at any Barnes and Noblestore (not toadvertise).
I love my Nook:)
Mary
Dear Jamie
You might be interested in this online conference... I have attached the flier.
Barbara
Barbara Braxton
Teacher Librarian
COOMA NSW 2630
AUSTRALIA
Together, we learn from each other
Mary Gotham, LMS
West Genesee High School
5201 W. Genesee St
Camillus, NY13031
315-487-4565
The best way to improve at reading is by reading a lot.The best way to read a lot is to enjoy reading. ~Alexandra Flinn.
A Library Without a Librarian is Just a Room Full of Books.~Ren Volpe
Cuts to libraries during a recession are like cuts to hospitals during a plague. ~Eleanor Crumblehulme
I have e books from follett n destiny, my circulation system does the work. U r only allowed 4 days max checkout (done thru your settings). There is a web hosting fee so I have only purchased from follett. I have only bought titles which r required reading or those associated w known research topics until students get used to the idea. Very user friendly.
Hope this helps and please excuse lack of proper punctuation/ cap as I am on my phone. Would b happy to help more if needed.
Ann Palmer, LMS
Shawnee HS
Shawnee, OK
Sent from my U.S. Cellular BlackBerry® smartphone
1. How are you using e-books?
The same as any print book..as read alouds or supplements to other texts or information research.
2. Which vendors would you suggest for purchasing e-books? Why?
Follet.... I like the variety of books they have available and the learning curve is low.
3. Do you checkout the e-books to students? If so, how long do you allow?
Yes... as soon as they are done but so far only teachers have used the ebooks
4. What device are your students and teachers using to read the e-books?
The white board.
5. How have your teachers used the e-books?
See number 1. These teachers are slow to change but they are coming around.
6. Do you have any subscriptions to interactive books, like Capstone or Tumble Books? If so, what has been the response?
I have not as yet.
7. How do you receive the marc records for your e-books?
They came in the same record attachment in email as my other records. I designated them as ELL (like adding DVD or REF) so teachers will know its an ebook
T.K. Cassidy-Fleming, Media Specialist
proudly serving the staff and students
of Cedar Ridge Elementary
706-712-8400
285 Cedar Ridge Road
Dalton, GA 30721
We are now at a point where we must educate our children in what no one knew yesterday, and prepare our schools for what no one knows yet. -- Margaret Mead
“Will my child graduate with a 21st century resume, or a 19th century transcript?” (Forbes magazine, June 2010)
Thanks, everyone, for your responses.
Betty
----- Original Message -----
From: "Terri Street" <> Hello!
Thanks to a grant, every 7th and 8th grader in our school has been issued a netbook with wireless Internet access this year. As a result, I have a sudden demand for ebooks and have been given a sum of money to purchase those materials. However, my regular vendor (Follett) has a limited number of middle-school appropriate ebooks. I've browsed a few other vendors, but have little luck. I would prefer ebooks that, like Follett's, are accessible from the vendor's server rather than having to reside on our server. Overdrive Media isn't an option. Anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!
Terri L. Street, School Librarian
Longfellow Middle School
Norman, Oklahoma
******************
Replies:
I cannot help Terri, but this brings a question to mind. I do not yet have an e-book, and I have wondered about the same question.
Does having an e-book as these students do mean that each time they "check" a book out, will it have to be purchased or will the librarian purchase the digital copy and lend it to the students' e-books? Will it be downloaded from the library's web site?
Several of us pass books among family and friends when we finish reading. If we purchase an e-book, is there a way to share individual digital copies as we do our paper copies?
Thanks! To keep from cluttering LM_NET, if you like, please send your responses to me directly and I'll post a hit if I receive discussions.
Betty Dawn
--
Betty Dawn Hamilton (Using retired years to keep up with current events!) LMS (Middle & High School) Former Chair of Texas Association of School Librarians Former Contributing Editor of "Profession" section, Texas Library Journal Brownfield, TX
*******************
Right now, Nooks (Barnes&Noble'sereader) have the capability to share books between other Nook owners. That was one reason why I went with it, instead of a Kindle.
As I understand it, the library has to purchase the initial eBook. Then the patron downloads it to their reader for a specified time period. When the time is up, the eBook "evaporates" from their reader. No overdues with eBooks!
I wonder if more than one person can check out the same eBook at a time?
**********************
Please post a hit--I am just now starting to look at ebooks and have lots of questions myself!
*******************
Hello Betty,
I saw your post on LM_NET and wanted to give you some more information about eBooks. Many eBooks are very different. There are interactive eBooks, PDF style eBooks, simultaneous access eBooks, one-time, one-user eBooks and many more. Most vendors have chosen a format with includes one-time, one-user format where only one student can check the title out at time. If this is a popular title or a class is doing research in the content area, it leads many librarians to purchase this same title again so 2 students can use it at one time. At Mackin we have decided to use a different format where once the book is purchased it can be used by hundreds of students at one time. This format allows schools to purchase many different titles and still save time and money. So, to answer your question, Mackin's eBooks are set up so that even while you are reading a title, many of your friends and family could be reading it at the same time.
Also, Mackin choose to provide a format where all our titles are web based. A school does not need to download anything from the vendor or publisher because the titles are hosted by the publisher which brings us back to how so many people can use the title at one time. I hope this answers your question! Please let me know if you would like any more information about eBooks, I would be more than happy to help!
Thank you!
Mesa Heise
Mackin Educational Resources
P. 800.245.9540 x2377
F. 800.369.5490
Mackin.com