The document discusses key issues with ebooks in libraries and potential solutions. It notes that while library ebook usage and spending is growing, it still lags significantly behind consumer ebook sales. Libraries struggle to keep up with user demand for ebooks due to budget constraints. The user experience of accessing library ebooks is often cumbersome, requiring multiple platforms. Potential solutions discussed include the Library Simplified and Open eBooks projects, which aim to create a more seamless user experience and increase access.

1. 1
The Future of
Libraries &
eBooks
Library Simplified and the
Library Econtent Access
Project (LEAP)
By Micah May
6/17/2015

2. 22
1. Overview
2. Key Issues
3. Solutions
4. Potential next steps
Contents

3. 33
Overview:
eBook use in US
libraries and NYPL

4. 44
Library EBooks use and spend is growing fast…
$30
$55
$70
$82
$111
$0
$20
$40
$60
$80
$100
$120
FY 2009 FY 2010 FY 2011 FY 2012 FY 2013
LibraryeBookSpend-$Millions
Spend by US Public Libraries on eBooks

5. 55
But lags far behind consumer eBooks sales…
Library spend on eBooks is still nascent
relative the consumer market. US libraries
spent $86M on eBooks in 2012 and over
$100M in 2013.4
2.4
3.3 3.4
11.6 11.7 11.2
2011 2012 2013
US Trade Publishing Revenue - $ billion
eBooks All Other
1.2 0.8
0.2
0.1
0.1
Total Print Non-print
(DVD, CD)
eResources -
not eBooks
eBooks
2012 US Library Spend2 - $ billion
In 2013, 28% of US adults read an eBook,
up from only 17% in 2011.1 In the same
period, publishing revenue for eBooks grew
from $2.4 billion to $3.4 billion while the
overall market fell.2

6. 66
… and cant keep up with demand
• Library budget cant keep up
with demand, so holds queues
are long
• Print circulation still greatly
exceeds eBook circulation at
libraries. eBook lending
accounted for 7% of US library
circulation in 2012, while print
circulation accounted for 59%.5
• Very few eReaders borrow
eBooks from libraries. Only 2%
of American adults borrowed an
eBook from a library in 2012,
which is only 12% of those who
read an eBook that year.6
59%
12%
8%
7%
6%
3%
5%
2012 US Library Circ by Item1 - % of total
Print Book
DVD
Audiobooks
eBooks (7%)
E Video
Music CDs
Other

7. 77
So growth is likely to continue
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
$500
$600
$700
FY
2009
FY
2010
FY
2011
FY
2012
FY
2013
FY
2014
FY
2015
FY
2016
FY
2017
FY
2018
FY
2019
FY
2020
LibraryeBookSpend-$Millions
Library eBook Market -- Projected Spend
Aggressive (CAGR)
Moderate
Conservative
Very Conservative
Actual

8. 88
Key Issues

9. 99
The user experience can be cumbersome
Search for title
in catalog
Current process
Find record in
eBook format
Follow link to
eBook site
Sign in to eBook
site
Download eBook
to device
Sign in to catalog
Up to 19 steps

10. 1010
Users must often navigate multiple platforms
Baker & Taylor eBook
Platforms
OverDrive
3M Cloud
Library
Baker &
Taylor
Polaris
Sierra
ILS
Sierra APIs
Polaris APIs
Library IT Systems
Millennium
ILS
Web Pac
BiblioCommons
(OPAC)
3M eBook Platforms
OPAC
OverDrive eBook Platforms
?

11. 1111
eBooks are not reaching a broad diverse audience
NYC-based eReaders are wealthier and more educated than non-eReaders. Those who
read eBooks have higher average household incomes and are more likely to be college-
educated and employed.10
NYC eReaders NYC non-eReaders
Gender 51% male, 49% female 48% male, 52% female
Household Income $84,500/year $63,000/year
Employment Status 83% employed 54% employed
Education level 72% college degree or more 50% some college or less

12. 1212
Libraries don’t own their relationships with users or
with publishers

13. 1313
ROI on Library eBooks is falling (cost/circ is rising)
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.9
1.2
1.6
$0.2
$0.3
$0.4
$1.1
$1.2
$2.1
FY09 FY10 FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14P
NYPL eBook Circ and Spend7
eBook Circ (millions) eBook Spend ($ million)

14. 1414
Solutions:
Readers First
Library Simplified
Open eBooks

15. 1515

16. 1616
Ideal process
Search for title
in catalog
Sign in to catalog
Download eBook
to device
3 Step or less
Discover | Borrow | Read

17. 1717
OverDrive
3M Cloud
Library
Baker &
Taylor
Polaris
Sierra
ILS
Sierra APIs
Polaris APIs
Library Systems
Millennium
ILS
Web Pac
BiblioCommons
(OPAC)
Vendor Web Catalogue
Library
Simplified
Library
Simplified

18. 18

19. 19
Open eBooks
Partners
•White House
•IMLS
•DPLA
•First Book
Publishers:
• Macmillan
• Simon &
Schuster
• Penguin
Random House
• Hachette
• Candlewick
• Bloomsbury
• Lee & Low
• Cricket Media
• HarperCollins

20. 20
Library E-content Access Project
Vision: It’s time to build library-owned shelves -- the capacity to host and
distribute eBooks and launch a library owned eBook marketplace through which
libraries everywhere can buy.
This platform could:
• Be built and live within a few years
• Start with eBooks but eventually expand
• Follow and advance ReadersFirst principles
• Quickly become self-sustaining
• Offers a WIN-WIN for publishers
• Be decentralized
• Use a small portion of revenue to support other critical leadership work
Reader Circ mgmt Discovery Hosting Market Place Ingest
Opportunity
Library eBook supply
chain

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Potential next steps:
How you can get
involved

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Potential next steps for Libraries
On Library Simplified:
(1) Spread the word
(2) Set up and support an instance of Library Simplified for Minitex members
(3) Join Readium as a full member (commercial price of $30k) and be able to
help member libraries (and possibly non-members) to set up their own separate
instances without paying the initial $5K to join Readium joining fee (4) With
other states or consortia, co-sponsor enhancement to LS that support MiniTex
mission, eg the ability to federate collections from many libraries
On LEAP (building the market place):
(1) Stay plugged into planning and thinking happening in DPLA working
groups
(2) Contribute to the building/doing in a small defined way (exact role tbd)
(3) Join emerging joint venture, contribute significant resources and become a
co-founder

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23
Thank You!
Questions?

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24
Sources