EBook Selection Diminishes as Penguin Pulls Out of Library EBook Lending

Given that my last two blog posts were on eBooks, I had intended to write on a different topic this week. However, it was not to be so. On Monday, November 21, Penguin Group USA announced that it would stop the library lending of new eBook titles and stop all library lending of its Kindle editions, citing security concerns as the reason for their withdraw. OverDrive posted a cursory message about this on their website, while Library Journal’s “The Digital Shift” fleshed out the situation a bit more. The story was additionally picked up in the mainstream media by Forbes.

While obviously unhappy about this new set-back in the eBook realm, my scan of the library world picked up morose undertones that did not characterize the backlash to HarperCollins' move earlier this year. Librarians seem to be increasingly pessimistic as we are being slow shut out of the eBook market. In her reaction to the situation, Librarian by Day noted that of the six big publishers only RandomHouse is playing nice with libraries. This is, admittedly, quite awful, since library patrons have ever-increasing expectations about what the library should provide.

The real problem is that the publishing industry is in flux and trying to desperately to safeguard their profits, as Andy Woodworth points out in “The Ever Increasing Disappointment with eBooks.” Until the sector straightens itself out, we will likely continue to see this sort of erratic behavior. Although there is no telling what the outcome will be, the publishing industry’s shift to digital has recreated a situation more than reminiscent of what the music industry underwent in the early 2000s. This likeness leads me to wonder if we are headed towards a total restructuring of the publishing industry, including a full-blown explosion of the eBook pricing bubble (see my post Ebooks: The New Normal).

My only hope is that libraries will be able to stay in the eBook game, no matter what happens. The publishing industry has much to gain by recognizing libraries for what they are and an eBook sold to a library is, unquestionably, an eBook not pirated, no matter how many times it circulates. For more compelling reasons why publishers should value libraries, see Librarian By Day’s follow-up post: "9 Reasons Publishers Should Stop Acting Like Libraries are the Enemy and Start Thanking Them."

Librarians helping librarians

I've spent about 30 minutes over the last week browsing around my usual library blogs and news sources in search of some blogging inspiration. I found none. Then, just now, having abandoned my search for ideas, I stumbled across an item from one of my old home libraries, the London Public Library (or, as I've had to start calling it since arriving in Lethbridge, 'the other LPL'.

The London Public Library publishes monthly newsletters on a great variety of topics. What may interest library managers and book-lovers reading this blog are their genre guide newsletters.

All told, they publish newsletters on 19(!) different genres, covering new releases and popular titles.

I thought perhaps blog readers here would enjoy this information, so check out the link below. It's worth noting, too, that clicking on one of the newsletters takes you to this month's edition, and it is not necessary to sign up to read them.

http://www.nextreads.com/join.aspx?SID=3d2c8c94-6a5c-40ff-bf71-c6e8e3040561

Melvil Dewey: International Library Hip Hop Superstar

While scouring the internet, I came across a very charming (dare I say slightly cheesy) YouTube video called "Welcome to the Library." The video features a very silly looking man rapping about how awesome his library is.

YouTube suggested that I should also check out his other videos "The Dewey Decimal Rap" and "Library Card", which I did. Both were equally as amusing.

I decided to look further into this mysterious library rapper. It turns out that Melvil Dewey, as he's known, "teaches children the importance of libraries in our communities, advocates reading and introduces basic library skills. His first single, The Dewey Decimal Rap, has over half a million hits on YouTube and is being distributed worldwide by McGraw-Hill in 2012. Meanwhile, two of his music videos have been deemed by The Huffington Post as two of the nine funniest library videos ever. Complete with book turntables, a rapping book drop and golden library cards, this high-energy hip hop artist empowers children to speak up for their library and encourages them to become lifelong readers." (http://storyyeller.com/bio/)

How can you not like a goofy guy who raps to promote libraries? He brightened my day! I hope he brightens yours too. :)

Delicious Story Hours

With the holidays fast approaching turning your story hours into a tantalizing treat might be just the thing you need to entice parents and youngsters out of their warm and cozy homes. Here are some stories you could use:

A Apple Pie (http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/359700040_a_apple_pie)

Anyone Can Eat Squid (http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/171635040_anyone_can_eat_squid)

Fandango Stew (http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/973874040_fandango_stew)

How Did that Get in my Lunchbox? (http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/978063040_how_did_that_get_in_my_lunchbox)

Rah, Rah, Radishes! A Vegetable Chant (http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/977902040_rah,_rah,_radishes)

Tales for Very Picky Eaters (http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/973498040_tales_for_very_picky_eaters)

Time to Eat (http://chinookarch.bibliocommons.com/item/show/887906040_time_to_eat)

Of course you can add some healthy holiday snacks to your programs to make them even more appealing. How about:

• the ingredients for an apple pie (apples, raisins, walnuts)
• fall coloured vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, corn, radishes, yellow and red peppers)
• gingerbread men (just supply the cookies, icing and candies and kids can make their own)
  

And of course, there are some great ideas for delicious programming for adults as well. How about:

• Afternoon Tea
• Chef's Night Out
• Chocolate Social
• Coffee & Current Events
• Foods of Fall
• Sushi Class
• Tea Seminar

Share your ideas for tasty programming by leaving a comment here!