eBooks Reimagined: Alternative Systems Created by and for Libraries Outline: Amanda Jacobs Foust

1. Why? What made you decide to do this in the first place:

a. In 2013 the enki Library, an eBook platform built by libraries for libraries,

launched in response to the demand from libraries to work directly with

publishers to purchase eBook files and host them on a platform that the

library owned rather than lease titles on a proprietary vendor-owned

platforms. enki: a Sumerian deity of mischief, intelligence and creativity.

2. Designing the project:

a. Califa, the largest library network in California, is a consortia of more than

220 library that serves public, academic, school and special libraries.

Founded in 2004 as a 5013c non-profit public corporation. As a

membership-based service bureau designed to provide member-

enhanced, value added services to all California Libraries, the Califa

Group brokers and facilitates the delivery of programs and products;

sponsors statewide projects; as well as manages master contracts for and

pricing agreements. Independently, Contra Costa County Library and

Califa decided to do something about this, and to be proactive in finding a

solution. We teamed up to build enki, an eBook platform that is built on

open source code, with content that is purchased directly from publishers;

not through a vendor. Our small team took a year to build the platform

and develop a collection. We are actively negotiating with publishers, and

adding more content all the time. Acquiring this format, however, has not

been without its challenges, with three key issues confronting librarians;

licensing vs. ownership, third-party vendor limitations, and the availability

and pricing of eBooks from publishers.

3. How you funded it:

a. Primarily via LSTA/Grant funding. Post-launch; continued grant funding

plus tiered pricing from subscribing libraries

4. Sustainability

a. Network of volunteers that support enki in a vast amount of ways;

including collection development, technology committee and help desk

support. Form is on website for sign-ups. Assistance with FAQ/Help page

and blog.

5. Any software/technology you choose to do this project:

a. Support of software consultancy Quipu Group, VuFind, Enki was designed

to allow member libraries to loan out ebook content hosted on Califa-

managed Adobe Content Servers.

b. MARC records: We have created catalog MARC records for the enki

Library shared collection (to date) and are making these freely available to

library members for loading into your catalogs. Records are automatically

created from the data we get from publishers, and are therefore relatively

minimal. The 856 MARC info includes the URL for your library patrons to

link to the enkilibrary.org record. Staff may wish to edit the subfields to

match your ILS’s conventions for hyperlinked text within that field.

6. Next Steps

a. Marketing and more hands-on Staff Training: Catching Up

b. Development of national marketplace for acquisitions. Califa is part of

ongoing planning and discussion via the DPLA (Digital Public Library of

America).

c. Individual buying for individual libraries similar to OverDrive Advantage

d. Self-Publishing and hosting sel-published material

Notes

• 2013 launched beta

• 2013/2014 opened up for all Califa members

• enki is different than the other eBook platforms your library may have.

• eBook platform built on open source code

• We own all the titles

• Purchase content directly from publishers

• We have never paid retail

• Almost 40,000 titles (only about 5,000 are Smashwords)

• Shared collection

• 4:1 hold ratio

• Epub format

Will need:

• Adobe Digital Editions

• Bluefire app (overdrive)

Catalog

• Home page

• Carousel

• Search – keyword or subject

• Results

• Refine search

Check Out Book

• Can check out 10 books at one time

• Check out books for 21 days

• Can put 10 books on hold at a time

• No Overdue Fines

• No renewal feature, but if no one is waiting you can check it out again right

away

• Can return books early

Deleting Book

• All books check out for 21 days

• From your account in enki library can return now (right side)

• Computer – delete from adobe editions (library)

• Device – delete from device (may need to be plugged into computer

NOOK)

Download to Read on:

Browser

Computer

Tablet

eReader

Publishers from whom we have ordered titles for the shared collection:

ABDO

Actrace

Akashik

Booktrope

Book View Cafe

BQB Publishing

Britannica

CJ Lyons

Cool Gus

Crossroads

Dzanc

F+W Media

Henery Press

Independent Publishers Group: Publishers included in IPG are listed on their site.

Infobase

Information Today

Jukepop Serials

Kensington (read press release)

Namelos

National Highlights

New Harbinger

Permanent Press

Poisoned Pen Press

Raw Dog Screaming Press

Rowman & Littlefield

SheWrites Press

Smashwords

University of California Press

Workman

Xist