Originally called the eReader Resources page, this page has evolved to more of a general resource for further readings and resources about eContent services in libraries. It is maintained by several NEKLS staff members.

Last updated: January 17, 2012

Battle of the eReaders

There is no winner yet of the eReader format wars, the best we can do is educate ourselves on what is out there:

• Kindle Fire vs. Nook Tablet: which one should you buy? A tablet eReader comparison from Ars Technica
• Lean, mean consuming machine: the Nook Tablet reviewed A Nook Tablet review from Ars Technica
• Don’t call it a tablet: the Kindle Fire reviewed A Kindle Fire review from Ars Technica
• Does New Kindle Touch Beat Nook Simple Touch? An e-Ink eReader Comparison from LifeGoesStrong

Recent posts on eContent from NEKLS.org

• eReader Resources
• Building the Kansas eContent collection together
• It's Alive!
• OneClickDigital to Replace OverDrive
• Kindle Lending Library: a Threat to Public Libraries?

Aided by the above posts about Digital Content, we are using this page to compile information, resources, handouts, and support about eContent Resources:

Articles and Resources

• Topeka and Shawnee County Library’s E-book Resources (with instructions!)
• Chris Rippel’s eBooks in Libraries blog
• Teleread, “news and views on e-books, libraries, publishing and related topics,” posted “What eReader would I recommend for the Holidays?“
• The Digital Reader, “a news, review, & opinion blog,” recently posted about “Which eReader device should I buy?” and the discussion is as interesting as the article.
• No Shelf Required blog, “a blog about eBooks, loosely defined to discuss eBooks, audio books, and other digital content found in libraries as well as the technology needed to read and listen to this digital content.”
• No Shelf Required book, available in the NExpress catalog: “E-books have been around for more than 10 years but are still a relatively new phenomenon to many librarians and publishers. With the introduction of e-book readers, the e-book has become mainstream, with recent triple-digit annual increases in sales. But what place do they have in the library?”
• No Shelf Required 2 book, available in the NExpress catalog: “With their explosive sales and widespread availability, the past few years have definitively proven that e-books are here to stay. In this sequel to her best-selling book of the same title, expert Polanka dives even deeper into the world of digital distribution. Contributors from across the breadth of the e-book world offer their perspectives on what s happening now and what to expect in the coming months and years…All librarians will want to familiarize themselves with the wealth of advice in this volume on best practices for use and management of e-books.”
• Library Journal and School Library eBook Summit Facebook Page — periodically posts relevant articles to the eBook discussion and climate.
• ALA TechSource Webinar “Continuing the Conversation: Integrating E-Books and E-Readers into Your Library,” Part 1
• ALA TechSource Webinar “Continuing the Conversation: Integrating E-Books and E-Readers into Your Library,” Part 2
• O’Reilly’s Tools of Change Conference – LibraryJournal overview of a panel titled, “Solving the Digital Loan Problem: Can Library Lending of eBooks be a Win-Win for Publishers AND Libraries?“

Kansas EZ Library Resources

• The State contract with OverDrive for digital content ended December 5, 2011. Two new vendors will provide content: Recorded Books OneClickDigital for digital audiobooks and 3M Cloud Library for eBooks.
• Kansas EZ Library – New Portal to the State Library of Kansas eBook and digital audiobook consortium.
• Digital Help page
• Resources for Librarians
• NEKLS Tech Toy Box
• Websites for Free eBooks – from the Basehor Community Library

Photo Credit: “Evolution of Readers” by Flickr user jblyberg under a Creative Commons license.