If libraries dislike proprietary formats for text, audio or anything else…
…then they should howl to vendors and back efforts such as OpenReader. Yo, NetLibrary? Doesn’t OCLC own you? If you care about your clients, you’ll work toward a nonproprietary approach. I’m glad to see that others are sharing TeleRead’s concern over proprietary formats.
But should libraries avoid all commercial e-books and audio books right now? Please no. The trick is for libraries and outfits like NetLibrary to limit the investment in proprietary tech and keep vendors on a very short leash. Libraries should say: “Move toward an open approach, or we’ll stop buying.” That is better than just delaying technology while the format wars are fought. Otherwise libraries will yield more ground to Amazon. What’s more, given outrages like the shutdowns in Salinas and Bedford, it is important for libraries to offer new services that increasing numbers of patrons want.
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