Changing the Patron E-book Experience
Thursday, March 22, 2018, 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Pennsylvania Convention Center, 103 AB
Patrons seeking e-books are saddled with multiple vendor interfaces. SimplyE makes the experience simpler for patrons. The app creates a union catalog across four major e-book aggregators, while hiding the aggravation of DRM behind a simple library card log in. Join the app’s primary developer and its first library implementers. We’ll provide a project overview, difficulties we encountered, lessons we’ve learned, best practices we’ve discovered, and how successful we’ve been.
At the end of this session, participants will:
1: Compare the SimplyE patron experience with that of the four major ebook aggregators 2: Identify the primary functionality of the SimplyE app 3: Describe how to implement the SimplyE app
The session organizer(s) identified this session as appropriate for:
Level 2: People with some knowledge, who want to increase their understanding.
This session will have: Medium interaction (example: single speaker/panel with questions or discussion throughout)
Handouts: Download 1
Track: Imagine
Tags: Technology, E-books, Electronic Resources, Innovation, Mobile Technology, Technology
Presenters
Christine Peterson, Amigos eShelf Services Manager
Amigos Library Services , Dallas , TX
Christine Peterson currently manages the implementation of SimplyE for Amigos Library Services. She also provides training, support and consulting services for Amigos member libraries in the areas of Internet and technology. Prior to joining Amigos Library Services, Christine served as the automation consultant and then continuing education manager for the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Before that, she was the systems librarian at San Antonio College and the Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne.
James English, Product Owner, National Platforms
New York Public Library , New York , NY
James English joined NYPL after serving as Chief Executive Officer and Product Officer for a number of software companies in the private sector that he co-founded. He has over 13 years of experience managing IT, software development and product development. James holds a BSE in Systems Engineering from the United State Military Academy, West Point and MBA from Goizueta Business School, Emory University, Atlanta. He is married with one child and lives in Manhattan.
Michael Blackwell, Director, St Mary's County Library
St. Mary's County Library , Leonardtown , MD
Michael Blackwell, Director of St Mary's County (MD) Library, serves as co-chair of the Marketing Workstream of the Library E-content Access Project (LEAP) and of the Advocacy Workstream for Readersfirst.org, in addition to serving on the LLAMA Building and Equipment Public Library Section of ALA and a member of ALA's Digital Content Working Group. He serves as project manager for statewide implementation of the SimplyE app in Maryland.
Kendall Wiggin, State Librarian, Connecticut State Library
Connecticut State Library , Hartford , CT
Kendall Wiggin has served as Connecticut State Librarian since October 1998. He is the immediate past president of the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and currently chairs the Measures that Matter Working Group. He has served the American Library Association in many capacities including as an ALA Councilor, chair of ALA?s Committee on Legislation and the Policy Revolution! Initiative. The Connecticut State Library is involved in a statewide implementation of SimplyE.