Wisconsin: State Libraries Join e-Book Buying Pool

From the Appleton Post-Crescent:

The state’s public libraries have noticed the increasing popularity of iPods, iPads, Sony eReaders, Kindles, Nooks and MP3 players, and plan to play a big role in facilitating that experience.
The libraries are part of a statewide e-book buying pool to purchase $1 million in new content in 2012 for a Digital Download Center sponsored by the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium. The purchase will dramatically expand the center’s offerings — including e-books, audio books, videos and music — to all Wisconsin residents.
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The project began last May when the Division for Libraries, Technology and Community Learning of the state Department of Public Instruction sponsored a statewide e-book summit. The summit’s primary recommendation was to establish a statewide e-book buying pool.
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Currently, the Digital Download Center offers roughly 5,000 titles. Starting in January, two representatives from each library system will help select e-books and audio books for purchase, said Diana Sandberg, media librarian for the Appleton Public Library, who is one of the selectors.

The Digital Download Center is powered by OverDrive.
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Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries