If you were going to spend a day at a workshop on PDAs and digital content, what are the top three things you would want to learn about and discuss? This is your opportunity to share what you think would be your top priorities for learning in this area! We are in the process of planning a new workshop, and your input would be most helpful! If you email your top 3 to me at lbell927@yahoo.com by Tuesday, I will share the results on the blog, so if you, too, are planning or putting together a "Handheld Librarian" workshop, hopefully this information will be helpful to you too!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Saturday, November 22, 2003
Thursday, November 20, 2003
Elsevier Debuts "First Consult" to Physicians, Residents and Medical Students
From Yahoo Finance:
"Elsevier Debuts 'FIRSTConsult' to Physicians, Residents and Medical Students
Thursday November 20, 6:48 am ET
Formerly PDxMD, New Clinical Information System Offers Enhanced Search Technology, More Evidence and Full Integration with MD Consult
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing to fulfill its commitment to meet the full spectrum of information needs of physicians, residents and medical students, world-leading science and medical publisher Elsevier has launched FIRSTConsult -- an enhanced version of its flagship point-of-care clinical information tool, PDxMD, and a fully integrated component of Elsevier's new MD Consult Clinical Knowledge System. As part of this System, FIRSTConsult provides today's busy and information-overloaded medical professionals and students with specialized tools and continuously updated practical advice on the latest in evaluation and diagnosis, management options, patient education and disease prevention.
Designed for use in the exam room or at the bedside, FIRSTConsult combines a continuously updated desktop program with convenient, handheld-downloadable components. Much more than a search engine or general database, FIRSTConsult provides clinical information organized to provide a "best practice" approach without dictating styles of care. Its original content gives users instant access to the precise knowledge required to support clinical judgment required at each unique patient encounter -- an ideal tool for medical schools and residency programs where consistency and continuity of care must be balanced with professional development and physicians' varying practice preferences.
"In selecting new tools to foster our medical and nursing students' diagnostic skills, FIRSTConsult was the smartest choice for us because it provides the most current, evidence-based clinical information available," said Holly Harden, Liaison Librarian, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. "And since it is fully integrated with MD Consult, FIRSTConsult offers a very comprehensive tool for clinical decision making -- a definite edge for our students and residents in managing their rigorous coursework and clinical care of patients."
Among many updates, major enhancements offered with FIRSTConsult include:
-- Closer integration with MD Consult: more links between FIRSTConsult
and MD Consult, to ensure greater clinical decision support and
ultimately improved patient care
-- More evidence and clinical information: evidence-based weekly updates
highlighting the latest therapeutic advances, overseen by the
FIRSTConsult Editorial Board and Clinical Reviewers
In addition, FIRSTConsult now offers physicians step-by-step text and video demonstrations of commonly performed office procedures; reference centers, including non-condition specific information on topics such as bioterrorism, pregnancy and contraception; and, patient education materials in both English and Spanish. FIRSTConsult will also soon include enhanced PDA technology, wireless features and significantly upgraded search capabilities.
"Beyond providing premier content to the healthcare community, Elsevier continually looks for ways to improve the electronic delivery tools available to practicing physicians and students," said Fiona Foley, Executive Vice President Global Medicine. "With more than 1.5 million information searches being conducted each month on MD Consult, there is a clear demand for quick and comprehensive information, whether it be at the desk or bedside. With MD Consult and FIRSTConsult, physicians can access the clinical information they need wherever and whenever they need it."
About Elsevier
Elsevier is a world-leading science and medical publisher. Working in partnership with the global science and health communities, the company publishes more than 1,800 journals and 2,200 new books per year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such as ScienceDirect and MD Consult, bibliographic databases, online reference works and subject specific portals.
Elsevier is a global company headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical, legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier (NYSE: ENL - News) provides high-quality and flexible information solutions to users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed Elsevier's ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).
For further information, please contact: Jill Hoffman, ext. 113, jhoffman@fischerhealth.com ,or Aaron Vishria, ext. 125, avishria@fischerhealth.com , both of FischerHealth, +1-310-577-7870, for Elsevier. "
"Elsevier Debuts 'FIRSTConsult' to Physicians, Residents and Medical Students
Thursday November 20, 6:48 am ET
Formerly PDxMD, New Clinical Information System Offers Enhanced Search Technology, More Evidence and Full Integration with MD Consult
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Continuing to fulfill its commitment to meet the full spectrum of information needs of physicians, residents and medical students, world-leading science and medical publisher Elsevier has launched FIRSTConsult -- an enhanced version of its flagship point-of-care clinical information tool, PDxMD, and a fully integrated component of Elsevier's new MD Consult Clinical Knowledge System. As part of this System, FIRSTConsult provides today's busy and information-overloaded medical professionals and students with specialized tools and continuously updated practical advice on the latest in evaluation and diagnosis, management options, patient education and disease prevention.
Designed for use in the exam room or at the bedside, FIRSTConsult combines a continuously updated desktop program with convenient, handheld-downloadable components. Much more than a search engine or general database, FIRSTConsult provides clinical information organized to provide a "best practice" approach without dictating styles of care. Its original content gives users instant access to the precise knowledge required to support clinical judgment required at each unique patient encounter -- an ideal tool for medical schools and residency programs where consistency and continuity of care must be balanced with professional development and physicians' varying practice preferences.
"In selecting new tools to foster our medical and nursing students' diagnostic skills, FIRSTConsult was the smartest choice for us because it provides the most current, evidence-based clinical information available," said Holly Harden, Liaison Librarian, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. "And since it is fully integrated with MD Consult, FIRSTConsult offers a very comprehensive tool for clinical decision making -- a definite edge for our students and residents in managing their rigorous coursework and clinical care of patients."
Among many updates, major enhancements offered with FIRSTConsult include:
-- Closer integration with MD Consult: more links between FIRSTConsult
and MD Consult, to ensure greater clinical decision support and
ultimately improved patient care
-- More evidence and clinical information: evidence-based weekly updates
highlighting the latest therapeutic advances, overseen by the
FIRSTConsult Editorial Board and Clinical Reviewers
In addition, FIRSTConsult now offers physicians step-by-step text and video demonstrations of commonly performed office procedures; reference centers, including non-condition specific information on topics such as bioterrorism, pregnancy and contraception; and, patient education materials in both English and Spanish. FIRSTConsult will also soon include enhanced PDA technology, wireless features and significantly upgraded search capabilities.
"Beyond providing premier content to the healthcare community, Elsevier continually looks for ways to improve the electronic delivery tools available to practicing physicians and students," said Fiona Foley, Executive Vice President Global Medicine. "With more than 1.5 million information searches being conducted each month on MD Consult, there is a clear demand for quick and comprehensive information, whether it be at the desk or bedside. With MD Consult and FIRSTConsult, physicians can access the clinical information they need wherever and whenever they need it."
About Elsevier
Elsevier is a world-leading science and medical publisher. Working in partnership with the global science and health communities, the company publishes more than 1,800 journals and 2,200 new books per year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such as ScienceDirect and MD Consult, bibliographic databases, online reference works and subject specific portals.
Elsevier is a global company headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide. The company is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc, a world-leading publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical, legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier (NYSE: ENL - News) provides high-quality and flexible information solutions to users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed Elsevier's ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).
For further information, please contact: Jill Hoffman, ext. 113, jhoffman@fischerhealth.com ,or Aaron Vishria, ext. 125, avishria@fischerhealth.com , both of FischerHealth, +1-310-577-7870, for Elsevier. "
Wednesday, November 19, 2003
eBookworm with Nick Bogaty
Join us for an hour of ebookworm with host Tom Peters
of TAP Information Services and Nick Bogaty, Director
of the Open eBook Forum. The online program is
scheduled for Thursday, November 20 from 3-4 p.m.
central time. To participate, come to
http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance.pl?31122688174,
type your name in the box, no password is needed, and
click enter. You will be prompted to download a small
applet and then you will be automatically connected to
the conference room. If you wish to listen but not
participate, you can go to
http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance_bcast2.pl?31122688174,
type your name and click enter. If you have any
questions or problems, please contact Tom Peters at
tapinformation@yahoo.com.
of TAP Information Services and Nick Bogaty, Director
of the Open eBook Forum. The online program is
scheduled for Thursday, November 20 from 3-4 p.m.
central time. To participate, come to
http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance.pl?31122688174,
type your name in the box, no password is needed, and
click enter. You will be prompted to download a small
applet and then you will be automatically connected to
the conference room. If you wish to listen but not
participate, you can go to
http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance_bcast2.pl?31122688174,
type your name and click enter. If you have any
questions or problems, please contact Tom Peters at
tapinformation@yahoo.com.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Smartphone emerging as main mobile technology platform
This from Peg Burnette:
"Smartphone emerging as main mobile technology platform"
Thursday November 13, 2003
Here is the Australian point of view regarding cell phones and the
future
of the PDA...
http://www.gizmo.com.au/public/News/news.asp?articleid=2342
Peg Burnette
Reference/Systems
UIC Library of the Health Sciences - Peoria
phburn@uic.edu
(309) 671-8497
"Smartphone emerging as main mobile technology platform"
Thursday November 13, 2003
Here is the Australian point of view regarding cell phones and the
future
of the PDA...
http://www.gizmo.com.au/public/News/news.asp?articleid=2342
Peg Burnette
Reference/Systems
UIC Library of the Health Sciences - Peoria
phburn@uic.edu
(309) 671-8497
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Wonderful new digital access for Canadian blind
Look at this and check this out! This is an impressive new service for Canada's blind and visually impaired.
Service includes world’s first Internet portal of its kind for blind children
Toronto, ON, November 12, 2003: More than 105,000 Canadians who are blind or visually impaired gained access to thousands of books, daily newspapers, and magazines today with the launch of The CNIB Digital Library. The online library is the most advanced library of alternative formats in the world and a model for 175 international libraries producing alternative-format information. It also contains The Children’s Discovery Portal, the world’s first portal of its kind for children who are blind.
“For sighted people, technology makes access to information easier. For people like myself who are blind, it makes access possible,” said Jim Sanders, president of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). “The CNIB Digital Library will open up worlds of opportunity and knowledge. For example, I can now read a newspaper the same day it hits the newsstand. And the new service is particularly exciting for young CNIB clients, who will be able to visit a Web site that is just as much fun, attractive and informative as any other children’s site.”
The CNIB Digital Library offers a completely new reading experience for people who are blind or visually impaired. Currently, only 3% of published materials are available in an accessible format. Highlights include:
Accessible. The CNIB Digital Library was designed from the outset to ensure it met the accessibility needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. It works with major adaptive technology products including screen reading programs and braille keyboards.
Comprehensive and easy to use. Brings all of the Library’s online services including the CNIB catalogue and digital repository of books into one unified, bilingual, Internet gateway.
Vast repository. There are more than 10,000 audio, text, and braille titles available online for instant reading, including bestsellers such as Life of Pi and The Stone Diaries. Clients can also search and order from a collection of more than 60,000 titles.
Exciting new access. Clients can listen to a CNIB Library talking book (with human-voice narration) right from their computer simply by selecting a link for the title of that book.
Newspapers, magazines, databases. The current editions of more than 40 daily, national, and community newspapers from across Canada are available. Full-text versions of thousands of magazines and databases such as the Encyclopedia Britannica Online are also available.
The Children’s Discovery Portal is one of the most exciting parts of this digital transformation. For the first time children who are blind or visually impaired will be able to play online games, participate in online polls, get homework help, sample or read entire books online and chat with other children who are blind from across the country. For some this may be the first opportunity they have ever had to meet another child who is blind.
“The whole Portal is cool but I especially love the chat room because I can speak to other kids like me,” said 11-year-old CNIB client Robert Hampson. “I also like playing games like Dreadnought and it’s fun to be able to read books right away instead of waiting for them to arrive in the mail.”
The CNIB Digital Library is the result of a bold venture to fully transform the CNIB Library’s collection and production process to a digital library environment. The Library was relying on obsolete technology to reproduce materials. The collection was also at risk of being lost forever had it not been digitized. The transformation is being funded by That all may read…, an on-going $33 million nationwide campaign.
The campaign got a boost today when The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, made a surprise announcement that the Government of Canada would be contributing $6 million towards the CNIB’s digital library.
"This launch is only the beginning for The CNIB Digital Library. In order to complete this historic project, we need to reach our fundraising goal of $33 million,” said Frank Clegg, chair of That all may read… and president of Microsoft Canada. “Thanks to our donors, we are getting there. Everyone should be very proud of this incredible accomplishment, which will help to pave the way for equal access for all.”
Donations total $19.4 million to date with Microsoft Canada as lead sponsor with a $2.5 million commitment. The company also funded and led the development of the Children’s Discovery Portal.
Microsoft Canada designed the platform architecture to manage the digital collection, incorporating an advanced digital access and storage system from OpenText Corporation.
Since 1906, the CNIB Library for the Blind has been working to promote literacy and to ensure that Canadians who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind have equitable access to information, culture, and lifelong learning. The CNIB Library is one of the largest producers of alternative-format materials in the world and circulated 1.8 million items last year.
To try out The CNIB Digital Library, visit the Library’s Web site at www.cnib.ca/library or www.inca.ca/bibliotheque and select the “guest” option on the login screen. Some functions are not available to guests (they are for CNIB Library clients only and available with password access). If you are a CNIB client and you would like to register for the service or to receive a tutorial, contact Reader Services (1-800-268-8818, 416-480-7668, or readserv@cnib.ca).
For more information, or to receive a comprehensive live demo or a CD presentation of The CNIB Digital Library, contact:
Julia Morgan
Communications Coordinator
CNIB Library for the Blind
(416) 480-7423
julia.morgan@cnib.ca
About The CNIB Digital Library
About the Children's Discovery Portal
Microsoft Canada and the CNIB
That all may read...
Service includes world’s first Internet portal of its kind for blind children
Toronto, ON, November 12, 2003: More than 105,000 Canadians who are blind or visually impaired gained access to thousands of books, daily newspapers, and magazines today with the launch of The CNIB Digital Library. The online library is the most advanced library of alternative formats in the world and a model for 175 international libraries producing alternative-format information. It also contains The Children’s Discovery Portal, the world’s first portal of its kind for children who are blind.
“For sighted people, technology makes access to information easier. For people like myself who are blind, it makes access possible,” said Jim Sanders, president of The Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). “The CNIB Digital Library will open up worlds of opportunity and knowledge. For example, I can now read a newspaper the same day it hits the newsstand. And the new service is particularly exciting for young CNIB clients, who will be able to visit a Web site that is just as much fun, attractive and informative as any other children’s site.”
The CNIB Digital Library offers a completely new reading experience for people who are blind or visually impaired. Currently, only 3% of published materials are available in an accessible format. Highlights include:
Accessible. The CNIB Digital Library was designed from the outset to ensure it met the accessibility needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. It works with major adaptive technology products including screen reading programs and braille keyboards.
Comprehensive and easy to use. Brings all of the Library’s online services including the CNIB catalogue and digital repository of books into one unified, bilingual, Internet gateway.
Vast repository. There are more than 10,000 audio, text, and braille titles available online for instant reading, including bestsellers such as Life of Pi and The Stone Diaries. Clients can also search and order from a collection of more than 60,000 titles.
Exciting new access. Clients can listen to a CNIB Library talking book (with human-voice narration) right from their computer simply by selecting a link for the title of that book.
Newspapers, magazines, databases. The current editions of more than 40 daily, national, and community newspapers from across Canada are available. Full-text versions of thousands of magazines and databases such as the Encyclopedia Britannica Online are also available.
The Children’s Discovery Portal is one of the most exciting parts of this digital transformation. For the first time children who are blind or visually impaired will be able to play online games, participate in online polls, get homework help, sample or read entire books online and chat with other children who are blind from across the country. For some this may be the first opportunity they have ever had to meet another child who is blind.
“The whole Portal is cool but I especially love the chat room because I can speak to other kids like me,” said 11-year-old CNIB client Robert Hampson. “I also like playing games like Dreadnought and it’s fun to be able to read books right away instead of waiting for them to arrive in the mail.”
The CNIB Digital Library is the result of a bold venture to fully transform the CNIB Library’s collection and production process to a digital library environment. The Library was relying on obsolete technology to reproduce materials. The collection was also at risk of being lost forever had it not been digitized. The transformation is being funded by That all may read…, an on-going $33 million nationwide campaign.
The campaign got a boost today when The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development Canada, made a surprise announcement that the Government of Canada would be contributing $6 million towards the CNIB’s digital library.
"This launch is only the beginning for The CNIB Digital Library. In order to complete this historic project, we need to reach our fundraising goal of $33 million,” said Frank Clegg, chair of That all may read… and president of Microsoft Canada. “Thanks to our donors, we are getting there. Everyone should be very proud of this incredible accomplishment, which will help to pave the way for equal access for all.”
Donations total $19.4 million to date with Microsoft Canada as lead sponsor with a $2.5 million commitment. The company also funded and led the development of the Children’s Discovery Portal.
Microsoft Canada designed the platform architecture to manage the digital collection, incorporating an advanced digital access and storage system from OpenText Corporation.
Since 1906, the CNIB Library for the Blind has been working to promote literacy and to ensure that Canadians who are blind, visually impaired, or deafblind have equitable access to information, culture, and lifelong learning. The CNIB Library is one of the largest producers of alternative-format materials in the world and circulated 1.8 million items last year.
To try out The CNIB Digital Library, visit the Library’s Web site at www.cnib.ca/library or www.inca.ca/bibliotheque and select the “guest” option on the login screen. Some functions are not available to guests (they are for CNIB Library clients only and available with password access). If you are a CNIB client and you would like to register for the service or to receive a tutorial, contact Reader Services (1-800-268-8818, 416-480-7668, or readserv@cnib.ca).
For more information, or to receive a comprehensive live demo or a CD presentation of The CNIB Digital Library, contact:
Julia Morgan
Communications Coordinator
CNIB Library for the Blind
(416) 480-7423
julia.morgan@cnib.ca
About The CNIB Digital Library
About the Children's Discovery Portal
Microsoft Canada and the CNIB
That all may read...
This great info from Lewis Armstrong
Hi PDA'ers,
Just did a search in Google for PDA Tutorial. Only three were found at this time. They will be posted in the PDA section on the Computer Science Websites page of Web Based Resources at http://ejw.i8.com.
Using Google, you can search for specific titles by entering this way:
<> and the number of hits will be focused. I did that with "PDA Tutorial" to find the following three sites:
PDA Tutorial,
http://gsm.utmck.edu/library/pda/tutorial/introduction.htm
PDA Tutorial,
http://www.soe.umt.edu/ders/tales/tools/Tutorials/pdas/
PDA Tutorial - Tips and Tricks,
http://www.mclibrary.duke.edu/respub/guides/pdatutorial/tips.html
Best wishes my good friends.
Lewis A. Armstrong
Retired Librarian, '03
University Libraries and Archives
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas 66801
Web Based Resources
http://ejw.i8.com
Just did a search in Google for PDA Tutorial. Only three were found at this time. They will be posted in the PDA section on the Computer Science Websites page of Web Based Resources at http://ejw.i8.com.
Using Google, you can search for specific titles by entering this way:
<
PDA Tutorial,
http://gsm.utmck.edu/library/pda/tutorial/introduction.htm
PDA Tutorial,
http://www.soe.umt.edu/ders/tales/tools/Tutorials/pdas/
PDA Tutorial - Tips and Tricks,
http://www.mclibrary.duke.edu/respub/guides/pdatutorial/tips.html
Best wishes my good friends.
Lewis A. Armstrong
Retired Librarian, '03
University Libraries and Archives
Emporia State University
Emporia, Kansas 66801
Web Based Resources
http://ejw.i8.com
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
PDA outlook in UK higher/further education
A news item in the excellent weekly e-newsletter from the Electronic Book Web pointed me to a recent post on David Rothman's blog, which in turn pointed me to a recent briefing about PDA use and future prospects in higher and "further" education in the UK. Here's the direct URL to the 20-page PDF document: http://www.techlearn.ac.uk/NewDocs/PDABriefing.pdf. Ted Smith is the author of the briefing. Here's an excerpt to whet your appetite: "The report concludes that PDAs are important devices that can be used to enhance the learning and teaching environment....In US medical education, they are proving very popular, in part because large amounts of data and information can be easily accessed on the ward, and in part because physicians themselves are using them in their everyday work."
PDAs and Wireless Technology at Internet Librarian
I attended a session at Internet Librarian titled "PDA/Wireless/Tablet Technologies: Experiences, Tips, Next Steps." The speakers, Denise Watkins (GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals R&D) and Sandra Kendall (Mt. Sinai Medical Center), gave a very informative session! Ms. Watkins shared her experiences concerning PDAs and Handhelds while Ms. Kendall shared her story about how the Mt. Sinai Medical Center went wireless. I'm hoping their powerpoint presentation will soon be on the Internet Librarian website.
eBooks in the Public Library Conference
Looking to Checkout a Good eBook? Try your Public Library -
“eBooks in the Public Library Conference” to Examine Growing Digital Book Adoption in Libraries
New York, NY (November 12, 2003) – Driven by complementary market forces, book publishers, technologist and librarians have found themselves united by the eBook. While publishers and technologists have been anxious to promote widespread adoption of electronic reading, public libraries have been battling sweeping budget cuts. Bring these communities together and a culture-shifting market opportunity emerges: over 16,000 U.S. public libraries lending eBooks to their communities 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
To address the challenges and opportunities that eBooks pose for libraries, publishers and technologists, the Open eBook Forum, the electronic publishing industry’s trade association, will conduct the “eBooks in the Public Library Conference”, a day-long event scheduled for Tuesday, March 16th, 2004 in New York City.
“eBooks expand the role of the public library as the center of information distribution to our community and provide unparalleled access to new and important books,” said Patricia Lowrey, Head of Technical Services at Cleveland Public Library. “Today’s eBook formats and services offer our readers instant access to best selling titles, anytime, anywhere. The adoption of eBooks is a natural progression for the public library, building upon the growing reliance we’ve already seen for the services provided through our Web site.”
The conference will take place on Tuesday, March 16th, 2004 at the McGraw-Hill Auditorium, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, NY.
Further details about the conference including agenda, registration and sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities can be found at www.openebook.org/library2004.
Event sponsors include Adobe Systems, Inc., American Library Association, Baker & Taylor, Greenwood Publishing Group and OverDrive, Inc.
The program Advisory Committee includes eBook industry leaders: Karen Coyle, Library Consultant; Patricia Lowrey, Cleveland Public Library; Judy Luther, Informed Strategies; Tom Peters, TAP Information Services; Susan Peterson, Baker & Taylor; Steve Potash, OverDrive, Inc.; Tom Prehn, Adobe Systems, Inc.; and Rick Weingarten of the American Library Association.
For more information, please contact John Roderick, 631.689.3038, john@jroderick.com.
About the Open eBook Forum:
The Open eBook Forum, www.openebook.org, is an international non-profit trade and standards organization for the electronic publishing industry. The organization is supported by membership dues and the generous support of Adobe Systems, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, OverDrive, Inc. and Palm Digital Media.
An OeBF member list and membership information can be found on the OeBF Web site at www.openebook.org.
# # #
--
Nick Bogaty
Executive Director
Open eBook Forum
nbogaty@openebook.org
www.openebook.org
(212) 924-9081 direct
(212) 208-0978 fax
“eBooks in the Public Library Conference” to Examine Growing Digital Book Adoption in Libraries
New York, NY (November 12, 2003) – Driven by complementary market forces, book publishers, technologist and librarians have found themselves united by the eBook. While publishers and technologists have been anxious to promote widespread adoption of electronic reading, public libraries have been battling sweeping budget cuts. Bring these communities together and a culture-shifting market opportunity emerges: over 16,000 U.S. public libraries lending eBooks to their communities 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.
To address the challenges and opportunities that eBooks pose for libraries, publishers and technologists, the Open eBook Forum, the electronic publishing industry’s trade association, will conduct the “eBooks in the Public Library Conference”, a day-long event scheduled for Tuesday, March 16th, 2004 in New York City.
“eBooks expand the role of the public library as the center of information distribution to our community and provide unparalleled access to new and important books,” said Patricia Lowrey, Head of Technical Services at Cleveland Public Library. “Today’s eBook formats and services offer our readers instant access to best selling titles, anytime, anywhere. The adoption of eBooks is a natural progression for the public library, building upon the growing reliance we’ve already seen for the services provided through our Web site.”
The conference will take place on Tuesday, March 16th, 2004 at the McGraw-Hill Auditorium, 1221 Avenue of the Americas, 2nd Floor, New York, NY.
Further details about the conference including agenda, registration and sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities can be found at www.openebook.org/library2004.
Event sponsors include Adobe Systems, Inc., American Library Association, Baker & Taylor, Greenwood Publishing Group and OverDrive, Inc.
The program Advisory Committee includes eBook industry leaders: Karen Coyle, Library Consultant; Patricia Lowrey, Cleveland Public Library; Judy Luther, Informed Strategies; Tom Peters, TAP Information Services; Susan Peterson, Baker & Taylor; Steve Potash, OverDrive, Inc.; Tom Prehn, Adobe Systems, Inc.; and Rick Weingarten of the American Library Association.
For more information, please contact John Roderick, 631.689.3038, john@jroderick.com.
About the Open eBook Forum:
The Open eBook Forum, www.openebook.org, is an international non-profit trade and standards organization for the electronic publishing industry. The organization is supported by membership dues and the generous support of Adobe Systems, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, OverDrive, Inc. and Palm Digital Media.
An OeBF member list and membership information can be found on the OeBF Web site at www.openebook.org.
# # #
--
Nick Bogaty
Executive Director
Open eBook Forum
nbogaty@openebook.org
www.openebook.org
(212) 924-9081 direct
(212) 208-0978 fax
Industry Leader Embraces Mobipocket eBook Format
This announcement just in from Overdrive. Overdrive has a large web-based ebook library The Digital Library Connection at Cleveland Public Library and also at King County Library System.
(CLEVELAND, OHIO & PARIS, FRANCE - November 11, 2003) - OverDrive, Inc., the leading vendor of eBooks to retailers and libraries, today announced broad support for Mobipocket, a popular software format that allows users to download and read eBooks on popular smartphones, all PDA systems, and personal computers. Over 10,000 commercial titles in Mobipocket format from 150 leading publishers such as Random House, McGraw-Hill, Time Warner, Oxford University Press and others will be available through OverDrive's Content Reserve for resale to global retailers and libraries.
Based in France, Mobipocket (www.mobipocket.com) is the only company in the world whose free eBook reader provides instant access to and onscreen reading of thousands of eBooks using mobile phones that combine organizer functions, as well any PDA or PC device. It is one of the fastest-growing eBook formats with over 1 million downloads since March 2000. Industry analysts report that Smartphone sales have grown over 400% this year and are expected to be adopted by over 50 million users in the next three years.
Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive said, "We're excited to be bringing the most portable eBook format available today to our publishers, retailers, mobile users and library patrons. Adding to the tremendous success and adoption of Microsoft® Reader, and Adobe® Reader, Mobipocket® Reader adds excellent options for clear on-screen reading of reference and popular fiction on a growing list of mobile phone and PDA products," he added.
Mobipocket-formatted eBooks can be read on 6 different mobile platforms -- Microsoft Smartphone 2002 (Orange SPV phones, Motorola and Samsung), SymbianOS smartphones (i.e. Ericsson, Nokia), PalmOS (i.e. Palm Inc, Sony Clie, Handspring), Pocket PC (i.e. Compaq, HP, Casio, Acer, Toshiba, Dell), Tablet PC, Franklin eBookman and personal computers.
Mobipocket Reader includes features such as customizable display, built-in full-text search, superior lookup and dictionary features, excellent foreign language support, and wireless internet connectivity.
Thierry Brethes, CEO of Mobipocket said, "As the leading vendor of eBooks, OverDrive is an important distributor in the US and abroad for retail, consumer and library markets. We are exciting to be working with them to evangelize the Mobipocket format to OverDrive's publisher suppliers, as well as its global network of retailers and libraries."
About OverDrive
OverDrive (www.overdrive.com) provides digital media solutions for leading retailers, publishers and libraries in the US and abroad including HarperCollins Publishers, Random House, McGraw-Hill, WHSmith and others. OverDrive is a strategic partner to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Adobe Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE). The company is a Gold Sponsor of the Open eBook Forum. OverDrive was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
(CLEVELAND, OHIO & PARIS, FRANCE - November 11, 2003) - OverDrive, Inc., the leading vendor of eBooks to retailers and libraries, today announced broad support for Mobipocket, a popular software format that allows users to download and read eBooks on popular smartphones, all PDA systems, and personal computers. Over 10,000 commercial titles in Mobipocket format from 150 leading publishers such as Random House, McGraw-Hill, Time Warner, Oxford University Press and others will be available through OverDrive's Content Reserve for resale to global retailers and libraries.
Based in France, Mobipocket (www.mobipocket.com) is the only company in the world whose free eBook reader provides instant access to and onscreen reading of thousands of eBooks using mobile phones that combine organizer functions, as well any PDA or PC device. It is one of the fastest-growing eBook formats with over 1 million downloads since March 2000. Industry analysts report that Smartphone sales have grown over 400% this year and are expected to be adopted by over 50 million users in the next three years.
Steve Potash, CEO of OverDrive said, "We're excited to be bringing the most portable eBook format available today to our publishers, retailers, mobile users and library patrons. Adding to the tremendous success and adoption of Microsoft® Reader, and Adobe® Reader, Mobipocket® Reader adds excellent options for clear on-screen reading of reference and popular fiction on a growing list of mobile phone and PDA products," he added.
Mobipocket-formatted eBooks can be read on 6 different mobile platforms -- Microsoft Smartphone 2002 (Orange SPV phones, Motorola and Samsung), SymbianOS smartphones (i.e. Ericsson, Nokia), PalmOS (i.e. Palm Inc, Sony Clie, Handspring), Pocket PC (i.e. Compaq, HP, Casio, Acer, Toshiba, Dell), Tablet PC, Franklin eBookman and personal computers.
Mobipocket Reader includes features such as customizable display, built-in full-text search, superior lookup and dictionary features, excellent foreign language support, and wireless internet connectivity.
Thierry Brethes, CEO of Mobipocket said, "As the leading vendor of eBooks, OverDrive is an important distributor in the US and abroad for retail, consumer and library markets. We are exciting to be working with them to evangelize the Mobipocket format to OverDrive's publisher suppliers, as well as its global network of retailers and libraries."
About OverDrive
OverDrive (www.overdrive.com) provides digital media solutions for leading retailers, publishers and libraries in the US and abroad including HarperCollins Publishers, Random House, McGraw-Hill, WHSmith and others. OverDrive is a strategic partner to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) and Adobe Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBE). The company is a Gold Sponsor of the Open eBook Forum. OverDrive was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio.
Friday, November 07, 2003
PDA Survey
In the recent American Airlines' magazine "American Way", there was mention of a study about PDA users. An amazing 83% use their PDAs for accessing the business calendar, 80% for contacts, etc. The survey was conducted by Pointsec Mobile Technologies. Information about the survey can be found on the Pointsec's website.
Wednesday, November 05, 2003
American Foundation for the Blind celebrates improved access to eBooks
This from the American Foundation for the Blind website:
American Foundation for the Blind celebrates improved access to eBooks
November 4, 2003 (Washington)—The Librarian of Congress issued a ruling last week supporting the right of people who are blind or visually impaired to gain full access to electronic books (eBooks). The ruling provides an exemption to the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act DMCA), making it legal to circumvent any encrypted or protected features that render the text inaccessible for the specialized computer technologies used by people who are blind or visually impaired to read electronic text.
"This ruling upholds the fundamental right to read for all people," said Carl Augusto, President of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). "The emerging electronic book technologies have the potential to make published information more accessible and usable to people who are blind or visually impaired. By removing barriers to utilizing eBooks, the Library ensured all people can continue to enjoy the benefits of progress."
This ruling is the result of a concerted advocacy effort by AFB to bring this issue to the attention of the Librarian of Congress. AFB originally requested the exemption in December 2002, and later provided testimony and evidence to show that approximately 50 percent of currently published eBooks are inaccessible for people who are blind and visually impaired.
"This is a major victory, but there is more work to do," continued Augusto. "AFB will continue to work with Congress, the Librarian and publishers to ensure future titles are fully accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired."
DMCA, which became U.S. law in 1998, makes it a felony to develop or use technology to get around security provisions of various classes of intellectual property including software, ebooks, DVD movies and audio, among others.
The Librarians ruling provides an exemption for: "Literary works distributed in eBook format when all existing eBook editions of the work (including digital text editions made available by authorized entities) contain access controls that prevent the enabling of the eBook's read-aloud function and the enabling of screen readers to render the text into a specialized format."
Additional information about the DMCA and on this ruling, including copies of all testimony, can be found on line at, www.copyright.gov/1201/.
This has major implications for some projects we are working on!
American Foundation for the Blind celebrates improved access to eBooks
November 4, 2003 (Washington)—The Librarian of Congress issued a ruling last week supporting the right of people who are blind or visually impaired to gain full access to electronic books (eBooks). The ruling provides an exemption to the 1998 Digital Millennium Copyright Act DMCA), making it legal to circumvent any encrypted or protected features that render the text inaccessible for the specialized computer technologies used by people who are blind or visually impaired to read electronic text.
"This ruling upholds the fundamental right to read for all people," said Carl Augusto, President of the American Foundation for the Blind (AFB). "The emerging electronic book technologies have the potential to make published information more accessible and usable to people who are blind or visually impaired. By removing barriers to utilizing eBooks, the Library ensured all people can continue to enjoy the benefits of progress."
This ruling is the result of a concerted advocacy effort by AFB to bring this issue to the attention of the Librarian of Congress. AFB originally requested the exemption in December 2002, and later provided testimony and evidence to show that approximately 50 percent of currently published eBooks are inaccessible for people who are blind and visually impaired.
"This is a major victory, but there is more work to do," continued Augusto. "AFB will continue to work with Congress, the Librarian and publishers to ensure future titles are fully accessible for people who are blind or visually impaired."
DMCA, which became U.S. law in 1998, makes it a felony to develop or use technology to get around security provisions of various classes of intellectual property including software, ebooks, DVD movies and audio, among others.
The Librarians ruling provides an exemption for: "Literary works distributed in eBook format when all existing eBook editions of the work (including digital text editions made available by authorized entities) contain access controls that prevent the enabling of the eBook's read-aloud function and the enabling of screen readers to render the text into a specialized format."
Additional information about the DMCA and on this ruling, including copies of all testimony, can be found on line at, www.copyright.gov/1201/.
This has major implications for some projects we are working on!
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
An Exciting Opportunity to Try A New VoIP, Web Conferencing Tool!
For the last two months, we have been offering some interesting programs using a great new software program for web and audioconferencing. You are invited to try a webinar with us and give us feedback on our programming and the software capabilities. The software we are using is called ivocalize.com; an organization can "rent" a room for 3-500 people on a monthly basis or purchase a server. Prices are unbelievably reasonable. This software allows you to use voice over IP with great sound quality, text chat, synchronized web browsing or presentations, and the ability to record both voice and web pages with the click of a mouse. The software is one of the few if not the only conferencing software which is accessible for the visually impaired. The software is currently being used by businesses and other organizations for conferencing and for computer training - for visually impaired and sighted individuals. We have been excited and satisfied with our results so far, but would like to get more feedback.
In November, we are hosting several programs which you are invited to attend. Tom Peters of TAP Information Services is hosting a program called e-bookworm using the software on Thursday, November 20 from 3:00-4:00 P.M. central time. This is a monthly talk show. On November 20, Nick Bogaty, Executive Director of the Open eBook Forum will be the guest. You can sign into the room and participate and ask questions, or the software also allows you to broadcast the event for people who want to listen but not participate. The broadcast includes both the sound and the presentation whereas the interactive session also allows attendees to text chat or talk if they have a pc microphone. If you would like to participate, go to http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance.pl?31122688174
type your name, no password is needed, and click enter. A small software applet will automatically download as you enter the room. If you wish to hear the audio and see the web presentation, go to http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance_bcast2.pl?31122688174
type your name and click enter.
On Thursday, November 20, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. central time, we will have a book discussion group on the novel "Empire Falls." Even if you haven't read the book you are welcome to attend and give us feedback on the software and session. Tom Peters is leading the book discussion.
On Monday, November 17, at 2:00 central time, I am doing a talking book orientation for staff which will include the use of a Power Point presentation and an introduction to our website. Even if you are not interested in talking books, you are welcome to attend and provide feedback on the software and presentation capabilities.
The access information is the same for each program. If you are interested in the software but cannot attend the program, I would be happy to set up a time to meet you in the room and show you the software. If you want to see a recorded session, you can go to our program archive page at http://www.mitbc.org/audioave/web/archives.html
Although we don't have many programs yet, we have an interesting variety. They include an introduction to ivocalize and how to moderate a session by CathyAnne Murtha, who uses ivocalize to do computer training. We have an interactive session we hosted in partnership with the Bensenville Public Library on September 11 where a number of people shared their memories of Pearl Harbor and 911. Tom Peters' interview with Steve Potash, CEO of Overdrive is available as well as a short practice session on talking books.
We are planning a number of other programs for spring. We are trying to record each program so that those who cannot attend can access the archived program at another time - we can also put the program on a cassette or CD and loan to people.
If you are interested in what some other groups are doing with this software, go to
http://talk3.talkingcommunities.com/. We would love to have librarians and anyone interested join us for our programs and let us know what you think! Join us. For more information on ebookworm or the book discussion group, please email Tom Peters at tapinformation@yahoo.com. For information on other programs, email me at lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com.
In November, we are hosting several programs which you are invited to attend. Tom Peters of TAP Information Services is hosting a program called e-bookworm using the software on Thursday, November 20 from 3:00-4:00 P.M. central time. This is a monthly talk show. On November 20, Nick Bogaty, Executive Director of the Open eBook Forum will be the guest. You can sign into the room and participate and ask questions, or the software also allows you to broadcast the event for people who want to listen but not participate. The broadcast includes both the sound and the presentation whereas the interactive session also allows attendees to text chat or talk if they have a pc microphone. If you would like to participate, go to http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance.pl?31122688174
type your name, no password is needed, and click enter. A small software applet will automatically download as you enter the room. If you wish to hear the audio and see the web presentation, go to http://www.talkingcommunities.com/entrance_bcast2.pl?31122688174
type your name and click enter.
On Thursday, November 20, from 7:00-8:00 p.m. central time, we will have a book discussion group on the novel "Empire Falls." Even if you haven't read the book you are welcome to attend and give us feedback on the software and session. Tom Peters is leading the book discussion.
On Monday, November 17, at 2:00 central time, I am doing a talking book orientation for staff which will include the use of a Power Point presentation and an introduction to our website. Even if you are not interested in talking books, you are welcome to attend and provide feedback on the software and presentation capabilities.
The access information is the same for each program. If you are interested in the software but cannot attend the program, I would be happy to set up a time to meet you in the room and show you the software. If you want to see a recorded session, you can go to our program archive page at http://www.mitbc.org/audioave/web/archives.html
Although we don't have many programs yet, we have an interesting variety. They include an introduction to ivocalize and how to moderate a session by CathyAnne Murtha, who uses ivocalize to do computer training. We have an interactive session we hosted in partnership with the Bensenville Public Library on September 11 where a number of people shared their memories of Pearl Harbor and 911. Tom Peters' interview with Steve Potash, CEO of Overdrive is available as well as a short practice session on talking books.
We are planning a number of other programs for spring. We are trying to record each program so that those who cannot attend can access the archived program at another time - we can also put the program on a cassette or CD and loan to people.
If you are interested in what some other groups are doing with this software, go to
http://talk3.talkingcommunities.com/. We would love to have librarians and anyone interested join us for our programs and let us know what you think! Join us. For more information on ebookworm or the book discussion group, please email Tom Peters at tapinformation@yahoo.com. For information on other programs, email me at lbell@alliancelibrarysystem.com.
Monday, November 03, 2003
Hip-Hop Technology - Computers in Libraries November/December 2003
Take a look at the Computers in Libraries November/December issue! There is an article on flash drives in an academic library by Daniel Fidel Ferrer and an article on using a blog for library news by Douglas Goans and Teri M. Vogel. Both of these articles are available in full text. Sharon Ruda, Tom Peters, and I have an article on our eAudio project - lending digital audiobooks to our visually impaired patrons on a small MP3 player - entitled "The Librarians' Quest: Transforming the Printed Word So That All May Read." The article is not full text on the Internet, but here is a brief description: "In the past, brave souls would go on quests, trying to win assistance and equality for people who deserved it. It's good
to know that's still happening today. Bands of librarians are toiling to make printed works more accessible for the impaired by seeking better formats for audiobooks. Here, they share their tales of success as well as word of what they haven't yet been able to overcome. " It is written in the spirit of a medieval quest to transform the printed word (like the philosopher's stone) and the librarian is the knight, slaying dragons and the like to provide access! Oh well, it was fun to write! And it is amazing how far we have come - the Otis players from Audible.com we loaned out were smaller than the palm of your hand - and now there are more and more MP3 players coming out with 5, 10 and 20 mb hard drives to store music and books! It will be interesting to see how long MP3 players last with PDAs becoming more and more popular and powerful and multi-functional. Anyone care to make a prediction?
to know that's still happening today. Bands of librarians are toiling to make printed works more accessible for the impaired by seeking better formats for audiobooks. Here, they share their tales of success as well as word of what they haven't yet been able to overcome. " It is written in the spirit of a medieval quest to transform the printed word (like the philosopher's stone) and the librarian is the knight, slaying dragons and the like to provide access! Oh well, it was fun to write! And it is amazing how far we have come - the Otis players from Audible.com we loaned out were smaller than the palm of your hand - and now there are more and more MP3 players coming out with 5, 10 and 20 mb hard drives to store music and books! It will be interesting to see how long MP3 players last with PDAs becoming more and more popular and powerful and multi-functional. Anyone care to make a prediction?
Saturday, November 01, 2003
Computers in Libraries
Another great conference in March in Washington DC is Computers in Libraries. I have never attended this, but I would like to! It looks wonderful! Jenny Levine, the Shifted Librarian is on the opening panel (congratulations, Jenny!) and is doing a program with Steven Cohen on RSS. There are also several good programs on PDAs. There is one on "Tablet PCs at the Reference Desk" with speakers David Bennett, Donald Luisi, and Jackie Corinth from Robert Morris University Library; "PDAs in the Library: The Whole World in Our Palms" by Megan Fox; and "Getting Pushy: Delivering Content to PDA Users" by Colleen Cuddy, Systems Librarian, NYU School of Medicine.
I would like to attend this conference! In the meantime, I would also like to hear Barbara Fullerton's presentation on gadgets! Barbara and I have corresponded by email and even co-wrote an article, but have never met in person!
I would like to attend this conference! In the meantime, I would also like to hear Barbara Fullerton's presentation on gadgets! Barbara and I have corresponded by email and even co-wrote an article, but have never met in person!
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