Thursday, December 09, 2004

Return of the eBook?

Very interesting article in the NY Times about online access to library books.

"THE newest books in the New York Public Library don't take up any shelf space.

They are electronic books - 3,000 titles' worth - and the library's 1.8 million cardholders can point and click through the collection at www.nypl.org, choosing from among best sellers, nonfiction, romance novels and self-help guides. Patrons borrow them for set periods, downloading them for reading on a computer, a hand-held organizer or other device using free reader software. When they are due, the files are automatically locked out - no matter what hardware they are on - and returned to circulation, eliminating late fees......"

For the rest of the article, click Libraries Reach Out, Online" (NY Times requires registration)