Going Digital: E-books

Adam Strohm Hall – Detroit Public Library, Main Branch*

Recently our local public library had cutbacks (which left my son out of work) but I started thinking about the library services, physical books and the future of our library systems.

When I was a teenager, I loved going to the library to do research for a paper, check out classic books, trace my family history and just hang out. [OK, yes, I was nerdy, even then.] Now, that same research can be done online, with the most current information and access for academic resources with just the click of the mouse. As a student, I have been to the college library once.. not to pick up a book but to pick up a prize. ???

Don't get me wrong. I love libraries. Its just that things are starting to change. E-books are just a fraction of the market and it is growing by leaps as the price of e-readers drop.

There was a time for public libraries to bring reading to the masses and preserve historical books and documents. But the world is a changing. Although there may be some need for physical books (big question mark), most of the sources will probably be digitized. I remember when libraries had card catalogs. The transition to computer based searches were dynamic and improved services dramatically. If libraries do not adapt to the cycle of innovation and competition, they will find themselves with a diminished role in our culture.

So, where once the book (and heavy backpacks) ruled, now computers, tablets, e-books, CD/DVD audio books and the Internet are changing the way we view reading and libraries. So where are these online resources?

The Digital Book Index: Search through 140,000 (and rising) indexed e-books.

Project Gutenberg offers over 38,000 free e-books: choose among free epub books, free kindle books, download them or read them online.

Internet Archive - One of my favorite places, like the library, you never know what you will find. Over 2.5 million free titles. (browse one of the sub-collections like American Libraries.)

http://www.free-ebooks.net/ - Discover all-new, rising authors. Independent writers offer both entertaining fiction/romance for your enjoyment and non-fiction to help you find info from self-help to biz growth.

Open Library: How can you pass up 1,000,000 free book records? One web page for every book, About 10,000 eBooks available to anyone to borrow, 1 copy at a time, for 2 week.

Amazon and Barnes and Noble both have free public domain books in their collections. If you have their e-reader, this makes it easy to keep track of your books. (Amazon stores your collection at no charge!)

Happy Browsing! ☺

*The three-story Italian Renaissance style building was designed in 1921 by Cass Gilbert. Adam Strohm Hall is a majestic antechamber with a 35 feet ceiling painted with rosettes and caissons surrounded by massive murals. Over the entryway is "Man's Mobility" by John Stephens Coppin. Adjacent to the hall is The Grand Staircase, circled by five murals illustrating music, graphic arts, poetry, prose and the joining of the ways by Edwin Howland Blashfield. Source: http://www.dpf2009.wayne.edu/social-events.php

Digital Marketing for the Small Business

OutMarket has put out in interesting white paper on " 15 Ideas to Grow with Digital Marketing ". Online marketing is not just for the big guys but is easily available for small businesses and you need to take advantage of that opportunity to level the playing field in your industry. The article provides some of the first steps in developing your online marketing plan and well worth reading. Some small business owners want to save funds and do it themselves but you might want to consider hiring this out to an online marketing specialist so you can focus on YOUR business. Twitter, Facebook, Google Analytics and social media monitoring can monopolize your time, taking you away from running your business. Shameless plug, McAllister Park Design can help you with your online marketing and increase your exposure online to potential clients. We will work with you as a consultant to help you develop a plan or as your regular marketing guru, your choice.

Google: Now you know!

Google has released clear information on how to perform better in search engines. Provide useful, legitimate content! This update is called the " Helpful Content Update " and it is clear that original, informative information is king. A new sitewide ranking system is being added which awards people with good quality content. Now, this isn't really new, but it clarifies that your ranking can be impacted and if you are a subject matter expert in your field or business, make it shine! Utilize your website as informational, not just a short brochure or a business card. Show your knowledge and experience and make it work for your organically.

How Do We Prepare Students for a Global Knowledge Economy?

I recently participated in a discussion regarding the direction of our community here in Northwest Georgia. Although many candidates for our county commission would like to see more manufacturing jobs, I truly feel that we are not preparing our students to be part of the 'global economy'. Why are we happy with more retail jobs at minimum wage or warehouse jobs for $10 per hour? In our community we can strive to provide a better education geared toward the future. We can also improve our local economy with drawing technology related businesses that are required to have access to highways and won't require more truck routes into our area. We, as a community, aren't preparing our students to strive for better jobs. We, as a community need to move into the 21st century before its too late. Check out this seminar on preparing our students for a global knowledge economy. I hope you will consider the need to prepare your children for the world with soft skills such as d

The Mouse Click (Formerly Daily Mouse Clicks)

Search This Blog