[13130] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
netLibrary
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Millard Johnson)
Wed Mar 8 20:13:03 2000
Date: Tue, 07 Mar 2000 14:59:12 -0500
From: Millard Johnson <zendog@INCOLSA.NET>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
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Tim Kimbitsch discussed a problem of participating in a Ebook trial with
netLibrary (see below). A problem he cited was getting cataloging from OCLC
at reasonable cost for a short test period. Being a director of an
independent OCLC regional network, I thought Tim's issue was worth further
consideration so I asked OCLC if they would entertain a proposal to help
test the Ebook. My network and OCLC are extremely interested in helping
find the niche for Ebooks. Like every thoughtful librarian, I am intrigued
with the potential of electronic books, but reluctant to make a huge
commitment without some solid data. I think you will find that any
reasonable proposal that would advance that investigation will be given
quick and thorough consideration. For example, my question was referred to
OCLC yesterday at 6:00 pm. I had this preliminary response from OCLC today
when I came back from lunch.
MJ
From Marda Johnson OCLC
Millard,
Susan forwarded this request on to me for consideration and discussion. You
do realize that we do not have the cataloging for this set of records? One
of the reasons netLibrary is offering their online set free is to get
libraries to catalog the records as part of the participation in the
"freebie" distribution as stated below.
Given this, I think we could work something out for a library or group of
libraries who would like to work together to catalog the set as we do in any
case with WorldCat collection sets cataloging. So, for instance, if several
libraries wished to split up the cataloging for the records, search, make
electronic records, and set a set-specific symbol. We could discount the
price of the records amongst those contributing their time and staff. They
will have to fully catalog the records.
Marda
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum
> [mailto:PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU]
<mailto:[mailto:PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU]>
> On Behalf Of Tim Kambitsch
> Sent: Friday, March 03, 2000 3:37 PM
> To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
<mailto:PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
> Subject: netLibrary
>
> netLibrary is using an interesting tactic
for
> marketing its 1500 title
> "Public Library Collection." The are
offering a
> free six month trial to the
> 100 largest US public libraries. Some of
the titles
> are dated, but most are
> from respectable publishers.
> However, there is a catch. They require
> participants to add cataloging
> records to their online catalog as a part of
the
> trial. They assume that
> your catalog has a web interface and 856:u
click
> through support.
> Even though netLibrary proudly states in its
> marketing materials that
> records for these titles are available in
OCLC,
> cataloging 1500 titles for a
> six month trial is probably a several
thousand
> dollar investment for this
> "free" trial.
> I have some staff hear who are enthusiastic
about
> this trial. I'm leery. I
> understand that their content is merely
simple html
> versions of text files.
> netLibrary is apparently scanning the hard
cover
> editions of the titles and
> using OCR to create their electronic
versions text.
> I would have hoped that
> they would get machine-readable versions
from the
> publisher. Simple HTML
> versions seem to be an inferior.
> I am curious as to what other think about
this
> product in general and their
> "not-quite-free" trial in particular?
> Tim
> kambitsch@dayton.lib.oh.us
<mailto:kambitsch@dayton.lib.oh.us>
***************************************************************
Millard F. Johnson zendog@incolsa.net
INCOLSA (317) 298-6570
"I would rather risk failure than achieve it without risk."
***************************************************************
