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.)
·
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)
