Braun, L. B. (October 2014).
E-book subscription services: It's about convenience. VOYA.
Summary
Linda Braun
discusses the concern that some librarians have over the growing popularity of
eBook subscription services such as Amazon Unlimited, Oyster Books, and Scribd.
With these services, customers pay a subscription fee to gain unlimited access to
that server’s collection of literary works. Adding fuel to the fear is that
libraries will no longer remain relevant because of the ease and convenience of
these eBook subscription services over the limitations that one faces with
library. However, Braun argues that libraries will continue to remain relevant
as long as we continue to provide the service that we are trained to do: show
students how to find, evaluate, and use reliable information sources.
Evaluation
I thought that
Braun’s article was interesting because it underlined how important the role of
convenience went into play when it came to how patrons wanted their information
delivered. Libraries had long relied on the fact that simply because their
services and information was free that people would consume it. Therefore, it
is completely understandable that the notion that people would pay to have
information delivered to them because it is more convenient and easier would
strike fear in librarians’ hearts. However, libraries have survived the
mega-bookstores, but it has yet to be seen if libraries can outlast the services
of the “Amazons” out there!
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