Local library question

842 Views 9 Replies 3 Participants Last post by MH Sargent, Jan 2, 2013

MH Sargent

Discussion Starter · Jan 2, 2013

Forgive me if this is a stupid question, but I have no real idea how the local libraries operate regarding ebooks.

Here is my question: if local libraries have your ebook, and you make a content change, those libraries will not get an updated version, right?

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Strayer

· #2 · Jan 2, 2013

Libraries would have to buy a new ebook. If you have a book that is going into a library, make sure it is final without mistakes. You need an ISBN for libraries, it's how they sort books for the catalogue.

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Shelley

· #3 · Jan 2, 2013

Strayer said:
Libraries would have to buy a new ebook. If you have a book that is going into a library, make sure it is final without mistakes. You need an ISBN for libraries, it's how they sort books for the catalogue.

Though I know we all strive to have the books we publish be as good as they can be when we upload, mistakes happen. But, beyond mistakes, we often upload newer versions that have updated information or links at the end... Maybe you want to update your promotional stuff, like your blog address, etc. Or, more important, if your books are a series. I often update ebook files for clients who want to add the names and links of more recent books in their series so people reading (in this case borrowing) the book can see there are more available.

Regardless as to why you want to update, it would be nice if Amazon and other ebook retailers could track when it's a public library purchasing the book, so they could flag it when new versions are uploaded by the author/publisher and automatically send them an email notifying them an updated version is available. Doesn't seem like it would be hard to do.

Maybe if enough people make the inquiry/request to Amazon, they will address this challenge.

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· #4 · Jan 2, 2013

Shelley said:
Regardless as to why you want to update, it would be nice if Amazon and other ebook retailers could track when it's a public library purchasing the book,

Libraries don't purchase ebooks from Amazon because the license won't allow them to lend it. Libraries purchase from Overture or other library-centric services.

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Shelley

· #5 · Jan 2, 2013

Bards and Sages (Julie) said:
Libraries don't purchase ebooks from Amazon because the license won't allow them to lend it. Libraries purchase from Overture or other library-centric services.

Really? How interesting... and somewhat unfortunate. Going to Amazon for a fix seemed daunting, but doable. Not sure how, or if, addressing it with the entities you mentioned is even possible. Any ideas

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· #6 · Jan 2, 2013

Shelley said:
Though I know we all strive to have the books we publish be as good as they can be when we upload, mistakes happen.

True, BUT too many indies have adopted this "beta" mentality to publishing where they expect their readers to find mistakes for them, and then rush to correct them. If you are going to market to institutions, then you should take more due diligence to make sure that the book is in its finished form.

Insofar as updating just to change promotional material: don't. That is why authors should have a static author page. Then you don't need to constantly be making updates. All of our books direct to bardsandsages.com. And then our landing page includes the latest info. There is a certain OCD vibe to feeling the need to constantly change the links in a published ebook, thinking people are going to care. One site that I purchase through sends update links whenever a book I purchased has been updated with a new edition. In some cases, these are major new editions with new information and errata corrections that I need. But I get really annoyed when I download the new file to find out the only change was to promote a new book. That isn't a legitimate new edition to me. That's stealth spam.

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· #7 · Jan 2, 2013

Shelley said:
Really? How interesting... and somewhat unfortunate. Going to Amazon for a fix seemed daunting, but doable. Not sure how, or if, addressing it with the entities you mentioned is even possible. Any ideas

I believe those services that cater directly to libraries due provide the libraries with updates if there is a revision, but most publishers don't go back nitpicking changes to existing editions. Unless there is a fundamental structural problem with a published work, most publishers aren't constantly going back and republishing new editions. They are moving forward on new books.

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Shelley

· #8 · Jan 2, 2013

Julie, thanks for the info and insights. I didn't know about the library systems, and your take on when to update or not is food for thought. Thanks!

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· #9 · Jan 2, 2013

Shelley said:
*****, thanks for the info and insights. I didn't know about the library systems, and your take on when to update or not is food for thought. Thanks!

You're welcome. I'm particularly sensitive to it because I DO buy so many digital products that when I get unnecessary updates it aggravates me. There is one RPG publisher I stopped purchasing from because they got in the habit of updating their products almost monthly to add a promotion page for their newest releases.

Getting a half dozen "You have an updated file waiting for you" alerts for this reason was enough for me to just stop wanting to deal with that publisher.

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MH Sargent

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 2, 2013

Thanks for the responses, guys. I really had no idea how the system works in terms of having our ebooks available at local libraries, how they are notified about modified content, etc. As usual, I have much to learn.

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