ReadersFirst (readersfirst.org) is a coalition of over 225 public libraries advocating for easier access to digital content in libraries. In January 2013, ReadersFirst convened a roundtable discussion with nearly 30 digital content, integrated library system, and discovery services providers to discuss ways in which digital content product architecture can be made more open and allow for libraries to deliver content to patrons in the same familiar and easy-to-use online library environments they are used to.

1. ReadersFirst A movement to improve e-book access & services for public library users

2. 227
Library Systems
182
Million Readers

3. Libraries have a
responsibility to ensure
that users have the same
open, easy, and free
access to e-books as print
books.
Products currently offered
by e-content distributors
create a fragmented,
disjointed, and
cumbersome user
experience.

4. “a fragmented,
disjointed, and
cumbersome
user experience.”

5. Fiction Non-fiction Media
Physical
collections and
experiences are
designed according
to patron
expectations
Reading Space Reading Space Reading Space
OPEN TO ALL OPEN TO ALL OPEN TO ALL

6. Taker & Baylor DriveOver 3N
Digital
collections and
experiences are
organized by the
source of the
material
Taker & Baylor DriveOver 3N
ONLY ONLY ONLY

7. ReadersFirst Principles
Interact
Discover with the library
content in a single within the library’s
comprehensive own context
catalog
Access
a variety of e-
content from Read
multiple sources e-books that are
compatible with all
readers

8. Library e-book products
bundle digital content Content
with functionality
we already have Rights Management
(and pay for) in our
catalogs and discovery Search/Browse
environments.
Discovery
Circulation/Lending
Account Information
Notifications

9. ReadersFirst is advocating
for vendors to unbundle
functions and provide
methods to integrate
them into the environments
our patrons already
know and associate
with our libraries.

10. “As libraries look to build out “We’re in a situation now
rich online engagement where we have to provide a
with patrons, the desired different discovery system
depending on where we
state is to have the patron
bought the content from. It’s
completely stay within the getting too complex and
library’s controllable, ebooks are growing so fast.
virtual walls.” It’s an urgent problem.”
- Christina de Castell
- Christopher Platt, NYPL Vancouver PL
“We are looking for the tools “This is exactly the kind of
to create true unbundling thing that public libraries
and interoperability among should be doing: identifying
the different functions that discrete problems with
reside all up and down the tractable solutions, avoiding
stack of the lending model
scope creep, and engaging
that exists today bundled
into many products.” proactively and openly
with the vendor community to
- Jim Loter, Seattle PL
deliver solutions.”
- Peter Brantley, Publisher’s
Weekly

11. Next Steps
Dialog
continued
Roundtable communication
with 20+ vendors at with vendors and
ALA Midwinter libraries
Product Guide
resource for
libraries to help Advocacy
evaluate RF
all of you can play a
progress and
role in your
compliance
libraries and in
your dealings with
vendors

12. readersfirst.org