July 16, 2015

Topic:  eResources and ePeriodicals in particular

NEXT MEETING:  Thursday, September 17, 10 am, Hoover Public Library

TOPIC:  Sierra Decision Center (Collection Development Tool)

SPEAKER:  Elizabeth Swift

Possible Guest: Flipster representative or Overdrive Periodicals representative

Attendees:

Shannon, Hoover

Samuel, FPW

Leslie, Central

Maura, Trussville

Terri, Vestavia

Jim, Central

Allie, Central

Jon, Avondale

Debbie, Leeds

David, Central

Jiemin, Central

Caleb, Central

Catherine, Central

Karyn, Central

Jared, Central

Michele, Irondale

Katie, EOM

Laura, Central

The first thing we discussed was the BPL Central Branch's online database of Chinese language resources.  Because Sierra does not allow the use of Chinese characters, many patrons were not able to find what they were looking for within the catalog.  Jiemin, who works downtown and has been responsible for creating and building the Chinese-language collection, has developed an accessible database using Anobi.com.  This acts like GoodReads or LibraryThing.  Patrons can access by visiting:   anobii.com/bplchinese/books.   It is very easy to use and can be accessed anywhere.

We also discussed the RosettaStone online product and compared it to Mango Languages.  For now, only Emmet O’Neal subscribes to Rosetta Stone online.  

Mango Basic (BPL) offers five foreign languages:  Spanish, French, German, Chinese and Japanese as well as English for Spanish Speakers.  Mango Deluxe (HPL, HW, VH & TR) offers 65 foreign languages, English for speakers of 18 native languages, generic ESL, 36 specialty mini-courses (example:  Oktoberfest for German) and captioned foreign films. 

Evidently, it is hard to obtain user statistics for Rosetta Stone.  On the other hand, Mango makes it relatively easy.  Patrons seem to like Mango for its ease of use.  Mango is very good for basic language learning needed for travel or conversational language usage.  Please note, if your library does not subscribe to either Rosetta Stone or Mango Languages, any patron can access DuoLingo.com, which is a free online learning database.

Katie (EOM) talked about Flipster, the vendor of ePeriodicals for Emmet O’Neal and all the BPL branches.  “Flipster is EBSCO’s next-generation digital magazine solution that makes it easy for you to read your favorite magazines on your computer or mobile device.”  Our representatives are Kirk Langlois and Lauren Weyburn.

·         Supported platforms include iOS and Android as well as Kindle Fire – Flipster is an app downloaded through iTunes or Google Play.

·         Users read from the Flipster site, or they can choose “open in app” and download the magazine to read for later.

·         No platform fees

·         Instant access

·         Simple sign in – no additional accounts needed

·         Online and offline access

·         Simultaneous users – not sure if this is strictly unlimited.  (Emmet O’Neal’s limit for most magazines is 500. We usually have 500 hits total per month across all subscriptions. Not sure if this number is increased based on the size of the subscription or not.)

·         Flexible magazine subscription options

·         Seamless user authentication

·         App has zoom for easy readability

·         Searching within a magazine is available on the desktop and mobile versions

·         Printing is available when on a desktop or laptop, but not from a mobile device or iPad.

·         Back issues available from the start of the subscription (accrued)

·         Top magazines:  Consumer Reports, People, Mental Floss, Southern Living and Sports Illustrated

Samuel (FPW) told us that he tried several times to get a representative from Magzter to contact him, but to no avail.  By checking out their website, I found that as of June 2014, Magzter began offering libraries an online product.  “The Magzter Digital Library Program allows patrons to check out and read popular domestic and international consumer titles in digital format when libraries participate…”  They “have no upfront cost and it enables patrons to read the magazine on any device.”  According to press releases, “Magzter gives libraries unlimited checkouts and usage details by title and user, which assists in the ability to quantify digital collection purchases.”

As a follow-up, I have submitted more questions on their website in order to answer more questions about the product.  When they provide answers, I will post an update.

Two representatives from Zinio (Recorded Books) came to the meeting, Mike Poynter and Paula Roman, Regional Mgr.  Currently, Homewood, Hoover, Vestavia Hills and Irondale all have subscriptions to Zinio.  There is a platform fee and a magazine-by-magazine content fee.  For example, JCLC has an average of 4.5 million items/year circulation, equaling a $35,000/year platform fee.

The company is currently in negotiations to obtain Time, Inc., whose magazines include People, Sports Illustrated, Cooking Light and Southern Living.

·         JCLC would have the ability to sort the newsstand on the front page to show whatever magazines the libraries want –which would be useful to show seasonal magazines up front.

·         Statistics are from each checkout of a magazine on any device.  It does not have to be through the app.  Magazine checkouts from a laptop or PC are included.  Patron reports include any patron who creates an account on any device.

·         Through the app, patrons would pick their home library and statistics are driven by that selection. 

·         It boasts all access with unlimited issues and all checkouts are permanent

·         Over 2,000 popular titles that can be viewed via computer or smart device  Mobile apps are available for iphone, Android and Kindle Fire

·         No checkout limits on the quantity of magazines or time limitations for checkout.  They are always available.  No holds, no waiting.

·         Content Fee equals 2 times annual subscription fee, which also doubles the number of checkouts per issue.  Example:  National Geographic is $119/year X 2 = $238/year and 400 checkouts per issue

After attending ALA in San Francisco, information was gathered about Overdrive Periodicals.  If possible, our Overdrive representative, Fritz Schanz, might be able to attend our next ASRT meeting.  From ALA, these facts are known:

·         The Overdrive magazine business model is an annual hosting fee for our consortia ($6,000) and then the consortia would have to purchase individual subscriptions to the magazines

·         The price per magazine are fixed and average about $70/title

·         The individual magazine subscriptions provide simultaneous access, but are limited to a finite number of checkouts per issue based on the magazine.  (You want more checkouts, then you have to purchaser multiple subscriptions to the magazine title.)

·         They have 1,100 periodical titles available.  (They do not currently carry Time, Inc. magazines, i.e. People, Sports Illustrated, Time, Southern Living, etc.)

·         Circulations are counted by the patron checkout of the magazine (their p-type)