A c t i o n f o r L i b r a r i e s
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Free trial extended to November 30
BCR Launches netLibrary Trial,
Shared Collection for Public Libraries
By James Speed Hensinger
BCR is offering a new shared collection of netLibrary electronic books designed
specifically with the public library community in mind. However, all types of
libraries are welcome to participate in the new BCR Public Library Collection.
During a two-month free-trial period, September 1 through October 31, BCR member
libraries will have free access to the collection. Libraries that sign up to participate in the
collection before October 20 will not experience an interruption in access when the trial is
over.
BCR's netLibrary collection provides participating
libraries with perpetual access to netLibrary e-books at a fraction of the full cost of the
books. (In some cases, less than 2 percent of the direct costs.) Access fees are included
in the cost. Participating libraries pay only once; this is not a subscription.
The initial BCR Public Library Collection is about 3,000 titles, which are now being
selected based on BCR's survey completed by public librarians over the last two months.
The title list will be available by
September 1. Watch this BCR URL for a list of the
titles to be included:
www.bcr.org/~ids/Reference/Netlibrary/NL-Menu.html
As additional libraries join, BCR anticipates the size of the collection will double to
around 6,000 titles. BCR will add new titles quarterly in increments in proportion to
participants' contributions during that period.
Public library pricing for the collection is based on the population served. Library
systems and districts may buy in as a whole, or individual branches may purchase based
on their respective populations served.
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