Here in Norway the public libraries are debating with the +publishing houses how to handle electronic books. Surprisingly, the +libraries seem to be willing to accept digital restriction mechanisms +(DRM) on books and renting e-books with artificial scarcity from the +publishing houses. Time limited renting (2-3 years) is one proposed +model, and only allowing X borrowers for each book is another. +Personally I find it amazing that libraries are even considering such +models.
+ +Anyway, while reading part of +this debate, it occurred to me that someone should present a more +sensible approach to the libraries, to allow its borrowers to get used +to a better model. The idea is simple:
+ +Create a computer system for the libraries, either in the form of a +Live DVD or a installable distribution, that provide a simple kiosk +solution to hand out free e-books. As a start, the books distributed +by Project Gutenberg (abount +36,000 books), Project Runenberg +(1149 books) and The +Internet Archive (3,033,748 books) could be included, but any book +where the copyright has expired or with a free licence could be +distributed.
+ +The computer system would make it easy to:
+ +-
+
+
- Copy e-books into a USB stick, reading tablets, cell phones and + other relevant equipment. + +
- Show the books for reading on the the screen in the library. + +b
In addition to such kiosk solution, there should probably be a web +site as well to allow people easy access to these books without +visiting the library. The site would be the distribution point for +the kiosk systems, which would connect regularly to fetch any new +books available.
+ +Are there anyone working on a system like this? I guess it would +fit any library in the world, and not just the Norwegian public +libraries. :)
+