An overview document supplied by Bill Fatouros from FIRST Software Solutions. This document provides an overview of FIRST, eBooks and Digital Rights Management. It covers DRM eBooks, non DRM eBooks and ePub. Bill also includes diagrams that demonstrate the model for DRM content and the process for handling eBooks in FIRST library management software.

1. FIRST eBooks
FIRST now offers a hosted eBooks repository to assist libraries in managing and circulating electronic
publications to their patrons.
What are eBooks?
eBooks (or electronic books) are publications that are wholly digitized with the intention of being read via an
electronic platform (eBook reader, tablet, PC). These publications may be digitised copies of existing
hardcopy items or they may have been created solely in an electronic format.
What is Digital Rights Management?
Digital Rights Management (often referred to as DRM) is the method whereby publishers of electronic
content can protect the copyrights of the publications after purchase. In the case of libraries this generally
extends to how many people may access a specific electronic publication at any given time and for how long
they may have access to it.
FIRST and eBooks
Due to considerable interest from a number of clients FIRST has developed a hosted eBook repository that
can be provided as an add-on module to the current FIRST Admin and FIRST WebAdmin. This repository will
hold copies of electronic publications that each library has uploaded and allow their users to loan/reserve
eBooks from the repository via the library’s OPAC.
Non DRM ebooks/epub
All FIRST installations support the distribution of NON DRM ebooks; these can be uploaded to the FIRST
Web server and deployed the same as any other electronic document.

2. FIRST eBooks
DRM Content
The Model
Publisher
Supply eBook
FIRST eBook Service
Licence Key service
Library
Licence Issuing Service
Install Licence (Link)
FIRST Web Server
Browse eBook Supply lcience
(acsm file)
Licence Content
(Epub-eBook)

3. FIRST eBooks
The Process

4. FIRST eBooks
Supported Devices:
http://blogs.adobe.com/digitalpublishing/supported-devices