As of Thursday morning, the Harry Potter ebooks and digital audio recordings are available to libraries through OverDrive, as previously promised. Participating libraries can be found via www.overdrive.com/harrypotter. OverDrive is providing EPUB files, and library patrons can borrow Kindle-format files in the US. OverDrive had been taking pre-orders from libraries for what was said to be an April launch, and then mysteriously “temporarily suspended pre-sales and display” through library catalogs on March 20.
Libraries
OverDrive “Temporarily Suspends” Pre-Sales of Harry Potter eBooks
OverDrive continues to perfect the uninformative release in a brief bulletin noting they have “temporarily suspended pre-sales and display” of the forthcoming Harry Potter ebooks at library websites. “This is only a postponement, and libraries will soon be able to resume pre-ordering the titles in preparation for launch in April.” Needless to say, no cause is cited, and they add “we’ll keep you posted as the process unfolds,” but of course they won’t–they’ll just announce when it’s working again. There was a brief moment earlier in the month when PaidContent noticed the New York Public Library online catalog showed the Potter […]
ALA President Raphael Continues Dialog with Publishers
Before the pointed address by the NYPL’s Anthony Marx at this morning’s AAP annual meeting, president of the American Library Association Molly Raphael spoke to the organization with prepared remarks. In a respectful address that acknowledged the two organization’s mutual goals and needs, she said, “We must be allies in this new environment; we must understand that we are all part of the same ecosystem.” Much of Raphael’s message was in between the lines, taking note of recent discussions between her association and publishers. It’s clear they understand that publishers are not allowed (and also not likely) to discuss a […]
NYPL President Urges Publishers to Propose Pilot Models
In an impassioned address at the Association of American Publishers’ annual meeting, president and CEO of the New York Public Library Dr. Anthony Marx told publishers: “We’re eager to be promoting your books. We are trusted by our patrons to have views about quality. We help to sell your books.” He noted, “on the library site now, if you come in looking for a book and it’s out, the first thing we ask you is whether you want to buy a copy. Our patrons buy books and we buy books. We bring in speakers thorough NYPL live and we hope […]
ALA Head “Deeply Disappointed” In Random House Library eBook Price Raises
The American Library Association issued a statement on Friday in response to Random House’s new, higher pricing for sales of ebooks to libraries. ALA President Molly Raphael said in the release: “While I appreciate Random House’s engagement with libraries and its commitment to perpetual access, I am deeply disappointed in the severe escalation in ebook pricing reported today. Calling on our history together and our hope to satisfy mutual goals moving forward, the American Library Association strongly urges Random House to reconsider its decision. In a time of extreme financial constraint, a major price increase effectively curtails access for many […]
OverDrive Acquires Booki.sh
OverDrive acquired Australian cloud-based ebook discovery site Booki.sh (not to be confused with still-to-launch US-based ebook discovery site Bookish) for an undisclosed sum. Booki.sh founders and principals Joseph Pearson, Virginia Murdoch and Peter Haasz will join OverDrive from their existing offices in Melbourne to expand the global distributor’s publishing, library and school initiatives. OverDrive in turn will expand the Booki.sh distribution and digital bookstore platforms as well as integrate Booki.sh HTML5 and EPUB reading technologies into OverDrive library and school services. “Joseph, Virginia and the Booki.sh team have created a fresh, direct and immersive reading experience that uniquely serves the […]