New scorecard lets libraries give feedback on e-book offerings from publishers
(Read article summary)The American Library Association has created a scorecard that asks library workers to grade publishers on the way that they are offering e-books for lending.
In an effort to help the relationship between libraries and publishers when it comes to e-books, the American Library Association recently released a scorecard that asks library staff members to rate e-book offerings from publishers on factors like availability.
The scorecards grade criteria from one to five and include 15 questions. Questions range from the price publishers are charging libraries for e-books to the length of time for which patrons can check them out. They were developed by the ALA Digital Content & Libraries Working Group.
“Our goals are that you will have the needed information for developing and negotiating ebook licensing agreements locally, and that the Working Group will be better positioned to communicate and advocate with publishers, distributors, and other ebook players nationally,” reads the introduction to the scorecard.
The introduction also discusses sticking points between libraries and publishers, including what the ALA says are publishers' fears that readers will check out e-books from libraries instead of buying them.
