Hello Lauren,
it has been long time I watching Code4lib and today I can finally
contribute. After more than 10 years in the library, I moved to a company
where we develop the technology for accessing electronic documents
including lending services for library (consult with the University
Library
Lauren,
There actually is a group working toward exactly this type of goal. It's a IMLS
grant-funded initiative being organized by NYPL called Library Simplified:
http://www.librarysimplified.org/
You can find out more at the above link, but the basic goal of the project is
to create an app
Another approach- I think the Colorado consortium did this, is to whitelabel
the Bluefire App, which works with any Adobe-DRM ebook.
With the Rakuten acquisition of Overdrive, I think it it might be wise to let
the dust settle and see what happens with Kobo. And I know of at least 2, maybe
3,
Hi,
If I'm not mistaken, this would require ebook vendors to expand their
APIs to include the ability to checkout and download. I know of no
vendor who does this.
But maybe I'm wrong on both counts...
Erik.
--
Erik Sandall, MLIS
Electronic Services Librarian Webmaster
Mechanics' Institute
for Libraries [mailto:CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU] On Behalf Of Erik
Sandall
Sent: Wednesday, March 25, 2015 12:48 PM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTSERV.ND.EDU
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Ebook reader app
Hi,
If I'm not mistaken, this would require ebook vendors to expand their APIs to
include the ability to checkout
We're doing it through an ebook ILL approach at http://occamsreader.org --
still in a pilot project with Springer and the GWLA Libraries.
The 2.0 viewer launching this fall includes a responsive design that looks
great on phones and tablets.
Kenny Ketner
Software Development Manager
Texas Tech
Eben - Thanks for the Library Simplified link, that's exactly what I was
looking for! It seems like academic libraries have work to do to lobby our
vendors to enable us to create better / smoother user experiences. I
suspect they won't make it easy though.
The larger issue seems to be Adobe
I'm curious to know if anyone has explored creating a mobile app for their
library that would facilitate downloading /reading library ebooks from
multiple library ebook vendors. I'm envisioning an app that would allow
the user to browse ebooks from multiple platforms (e.g., ebrary, EBSCO) and
Becky that is 100% awesome - I had not seen that article, but it is totally
helpful. Thanks for sharing it!
Lauren
