Creative Sushi: Fresh & "Live" remixing of Creative Commons content

These past months, I've been working closely with the good folks at Creative Crew Singapore (namely Linus, Stefano and Carlsson). Not only are they a talented and passionate bunch, they are also open and enthusiastic about trying new creative ways of doing things.

Like incorporating a "CREATIVE SUSHI SESSION" for the 11th May meeting, at Bedok Public Library (starts 6.45pm). See the Facebook events page or the Creative Crew SG website.

Wasabi Sushi Chef - Fayetteville
Originally uploaded by eschipul

We're not preparing real sushi, of course.

It's all about creating, remixing or mashing up creative works -- "live" and "fresh", like how real sushi should be :)

CREATIVE SUSHI - "LIVE" & "FRESH"

1. The creative work could be anything, from retouching a photo, composing a music track, editing a video, or coding an application -- even written works or performances.
2. Each work is created within the allotted time and then passed on for remixing or mash-up.
3. Creative Commons is the obvious enabler (copyright permission already given, so creators can focus on the creative process).
4. The final outcome is an on-the-spot original creation, built upon earlier ones. And that itself would be released under the appropriate Creative Commons license.

For this session, Stefano and I will be the "sushi chefs". I'll take 30mins to create an audio track on GarageBand (similar to this attempt). Then, I'll pass the track to Stefano (he's a Photoshop expert with a capital 'E'). He'll take 30mins to demonstrate "live" on incorporating the track into a video. The final result, we hope, is a music video.

We will not be rehearsing or discussing prior to the meeting. The only thing we've agreed is to use this  set of audio stems: "Man in love stems". Credits: ManoloCamp. 2010 - Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial (3.0)

Audience participation is certainly welcome. We hope people will bring their Macs, laptops, video editors of their choice. To attempt their own "sushi remix".

The famous dragon roll
Originally uploaded by Lorenia

Just in case you're not aware, the Creative Crew Singapore and the Public Libraries has been collaborating for the past year. The library sponsors the venue for the Creative Crew meetings. The Creative Crew team would organise their meetings, which are essentially mini-learning seminars on using creative apps and stuff.

My librarian colleague would prepare the appropriate book displays, after checking with the Creative Crew team on the topics for the month. At the meeting, at least one of the demonstrators would also recommend a relevant library item, usually related to the demo.

Supporting communities like Creative Crew is one way for the public library to fulfill our stated mission and vision (specifically in this case, it's about creating and enabling social learning spaces).

"I've Got Google, Why Do I Need You?" (or, "Thoughts about the Future of Public Libraries" Part 2)

[From Part 1]

A manage-your-expectation Disclaimer: These posts are just my way of articulating thoughts and refining ideas. Definitely work-in-progress. And if you're expecting earth-shattering ground-shaking life-changing concepts and revelations, you can stop reading now :)

I've been told that the first step towards effective treatment is to acknowledge and accept that there is a problem (be it drug addiction, learning disabilities etc.).

So I suggest we librarians have to accept that the old "rules of the game" have changed. There's no turning back (except maybe if the Internet goes kaput and it's back to printed references).

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?
To put it simply, I see the problem boils down to one issue: disintermediation.

This issue isn't unique to librarians. The banking industry have faced it in the '90s. So have brokerage and fund houses. We see that happening with 'traditional' music publishers and distributors.

It's a problem faced by organisations and institutions whose main business is/ was being the middle-man. Technology and market maturity (among other factors) will reach a stage where suppliers and customers can, and prefer to deal with, each other direct. The middle-man gets cut out.

Public libraries are middle-men.

We source for information materials and make them available to our members/ customers. Our members indirectly pay us through taxation. The gnawing issue is that in the future, more customers may prefer to get their materials direct from suppliers (especially digital content).

The writing on the wall may be just a scribble right now. But it's there.



INVENTORY VULNERABILITY
Public libraries, to me, are also particularly vulnerable. Because our business is largely invested in print-based information inventory.

We may say we're in the business of promoting learning and reading but in essence, what public libraries are really doing is to promote the use of print books. Printed materials are still the mainstay of the public library's inventory. This affects how our stakeholders measure our performance.

What about eBooks? I've explained why the current eBook business model for libraries may not be sustainable.

What about public library services that are independent of printed materials? Like our advisory/ reference services?


GETTING OUR HEADS OUT OF THE SAND
I'm uncomfortable when I read/ hear proclamations that librarians are still the best source of information. Or that only libraries offer credible and authoritative information (implying that anything else is junk).

Statements of that sort only serve to push our proverbial heads deeper into the sand.

Take for instance, back in 2008 this Google employee blogged that Google results are often good enough.

Self-serving Google propaganda? I don't think so. If what he blogged didn't have elements of the truth, would the liblogsphere would let him get away with it? He would have been blasted off the face of the Internet. Right? :)

The reality is that library customers value convenience over anything else. The debate of Satisficing (in the context of information search) is over, in my opinion.

If anyone -- librarian or otherwise -- takes issue with the above position (and some of my colleagues frequently do), just answer this: What's the first thing you refer to/ use when searching for information (whether for your individual need or to help others with their information need)?

1. Google/ Yahoo!/ Wikipedia/ Bing [name your preferred internet search engine]
2. Ask a friend/ colleague
3. Search the library's online catalogue
4. Search the library's databases online
5. Email a librarian

Come on, be honest.

It's Google/ Yahoo! etc., isn't it?

Hey, I am NOT suggesting it's about professional laziness or incompetence.

The truth is that few public library customers need to embark on anything that requires the level of academic rigour, that requires them to refer to in depth information from electronic databases.


CHANGES
I entered the public library world at about the same time the Internet was introduced in public libraries (i.e. mid '90s). My early impression of the general library-world mood was one of 'seige-mentality' and possibly denial -- one that centred on the threat of widespread proliferation and adoption of the Internet. The reaction was usually "Librarians know better" or "Libraries have credible information compared to the junk out there".

Today, that sort of thinking still lingers.

But for the most part, I sense the mood has shifted from away from a 'them-Vs-us' to a more proactive 'let's try/ do this'.

For instance, changing the way libraries are valued and measured (British Library's Contingent Valuation is one often cited approach). Some are experimenting and reconceptualising library spaces, for specific audiences (e.g. Mindspot www.mindspot.dk)

In Singapore, the changes introduced include the provision of eBooks/ electronic databases, an improved Search feature, SMS services, a social experiment in allowing unmoderated publishing and community monitoring of images, bringing the library to social spaces...

I believe the solution isn't necessarily about competing with Google (nay, Google is my friend). It's also not about making library customers need us in the way they need Google.

It's about creating value, in the context of public service. And making attempts to change the rules of the game.

It's also about learning from how other non-library industry players have changed, or are attempting to implement change.


LOOKING OUTWARDS: IDEAS TO EXPLORE
I'll explore a few ideas and thoughts in the next few posts. Recently I came across some interesting sources that may give insights and ideas:


NLB Call No. 338.762138456094897 LAT -[BIZ]


NLB Call No. 658.4012 GRA -[BIZ] | EBook version.


NLB Call No. 658.4012 RAS -[BIZ]


IT'S ALSO IN THE MIND
Above all, I believe it's for librarians to adopt a positive mindset. Acknowledging that we have a problem is the first step. Keeping an open, realistic and positive mindset is also part of the recovery.

Success, even.


[Next: Exploring ideas].

"I've Got Google, Why Do I Need You?" (or, "Thoughts about the Future of Public Libraries" Part 1)

A provocative, well-argued and self-explantory presentation. By Ida Aalens (who's the student in question, I believe).

The provocation, to me, was akin to the little boy telling the crowd that the emperor isn't wearing any clothes (some of us librarians anyway).

This is the current reality for libraries and librarians:

I've Got Google, Why Do I Need You?

View more presentations from Ida Aalen.

LINK

HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO PUBLIC LIBRARIES?
The presentation is from the perspective of a mature student, enrolled in a higher-education course, in an academic library setting. But it's something that's equally applicable to the situation faced by public libraries.

Public libraries have a growing tech-savvy customer base. And every year more students, like the one in the presentation, graduate and join the workforce and become the public library customers (or choose not to).

The idea behind Ida's presentation isn't new. It's the way she presented her arguments that I found refreshing.

Viewing her slides was also timely for me. I've been meaning to post some thoughts about how public libraries should react to such a current reality.

Might as well start with the next few posts.


[Next: Part 2].

Public Libraries: "Spot A Reader" for World Book Day 2010

Friend of the Library (FOL), Mr James Seah, blogged about his experience helping out at the first-ever "Spot A Reader for World Book Day 2010", held last Friday on World Book Day and Copyright Day 2010 (23 Apr).

He and his fellow FOLs were at the Circle Line, Bishan MRT Interchange Station, to "spot the readers" in the trains.


[Image linked from source: Blog To Express]

The library obtained permission from the train operator, and had to adhere to the 11am and 1pm time slots within specific train routes.

As James wrote in his post:

"The SMRT Guides chaperoned the participants and to comply with instructions. The MRT train is a security and safety public areas not allowed for loitering or hawking business purposes...

We were ensured not to speak too loudly to the commuters, seek their permission and with courtesy, considerate and public decorum. We were required not to disturb the commuters on their train ride, while commuters taking a nap on long journey (as seen some babies in arms). Not to cause unnecessary annoyance when commuters are left alone."

Thanks for the post, James. From what he shared, some commuters were delighted to be spotted.

The event organised by the public libraries was a deliberately low-key.

Should the "Spot a Reader" be a regular event in Singapore? What do you think?

This librarian shall be conducting a "DIY Music remixing and publishing workshop"

In this earlier post, I mentioned that the conjunction with World Book Day and Copyright Day (Apr 23), the Public Libraries has organised a series of events.

Here's another one this coming Saturday, 24 Apr 2010 (I'm conducting this one, btw):

DIY music remixing and publishing workshop
This is a free hands-on workshop, for and run by, DIY music enthusiasts. It is an introductory session for those interested in self-recording, producing and publishing their audio, music and podcasts online -- with simple and inexpensive recording and computer equipment.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops and thumbdrives for the session.

The session will cover GarageBand (for Mac users) and Audacity (a free and open source application for PC and Macs). Music samples will be from ccMixter.org and FreeSound.org.

The session is led by Ivan Chew. In his day job, he is the Senior Manager/ Librarian from NLB. Off work, he dabbles in music and arrangement and volunteers at Creative Commons Singapore. Samples of his work, all created and mixed using GarageBand and Audacity, can be found at myrightbrain.wordpress.com/my-discography

This event is organised in conjunction with World Book Day and Copyright Day.

24 April 2010 (Saturday), 2.00pm – 5.00pm, Bukit Merah Public Library, Radin Mas room, Level 3.

In truth, I had apprehensions about organising this session.

Not from lack of confidence or uncertainty about the content itself. I've done podcasting workshops before, where participants -- with zero knowledge and experience -- were able to create usable audio tracks after 3 hours.

I was concerned about the turn out. Will people turn up? Will there be interest in such a workshop?

We shall see.

More details of how I intend to run the workshop:

Objective:
By end of the 3 hours, participants will be able to use an audio editing/ sequencer software and piece together a music track, using free and legal sound samples from the Internet (e.g. ccMixter.org, Freesound.org).

Pre-requisites:
Ideally the participants need to bring their own laptop computers and earphones. Also their computer microphones (optional). Those with Macs should check if they have their preloaded GarageBand software on their computer. For PCs, they may wish to download the Audacity open source software.

Sequence of the session:
1) Welcome of participants.

2) Installation of software (open source freeware) if desired.

3) Introduction to basics of Audacity and GarageBand.

4) First hour: demo of GarageBand (30mins) and Audacity (30mins). Demo covers:
- Importing tracks
- Basics of editing, sequencing, recording.
- Fade-in/ outs
- Sound effects
- Saving/ exporting tracks

5) Next hour - participants will try on their own.

6) Finally, we will showcase some samples produced by participants (if any).

7) Sharing of how one can publish a music album online (free file hosting; copyright considerations; Creative Commons).

8) End of programme.

I've created a Facebook event page. You may wish to sign up at the Facebook event page.

Currently it's still 1 person attending (me!)

Which is rather scary and maybe even embarrassing... but heck, nothing to be embarrassed about. Even if one person turns up, and is an old lady who knows nuts about computers and wish to learn more, I'd be happy to share :)

[Post-event update: Total of eight people showed up. Sweet! Thanks to Arul, Wan, Raman, Ms Tan, Edmund, Lee, Judy, and Linus. You rock!]

NLB celebrates World Book Day 2010: Meet the Rockers, library@esplanade

In conjunction with World Book Day and Copyright Day (Apr 23), the Public Libraries has organised a series of events.

Here's one of particular interest to me:

"Meet the SG Rockers: Music, Copyright, Creative Commons"
Date: Saturday, 17 April 2010
Time: 15:30 - 16:30
Location: Library@Esplanade

How many lawyers do you know who are also band members of some of the hottest acts to come out of Singapore's pop-rock scene? This session brings together some of Singapore's musicians who are lawyers, some specializing in IP laws.

Come for a session to listen to them share their experiences in the music scene, how they produce their songs and their thoughts on music and copyright. We'll ask our guests to talk about ideas -- from books or anything recorded -- that they have found inspiring for their music and life.

They will also share their personal views on copyright, from their perspective as musicians. The focus is on them as musicians; the fact that they are practicing lawyers are just incidental.

This talk follows the Open Mic session that starts an hour earlier, so you might want to drop by early to catch both events.

Facebook event page, here (courtesy of Lunarin)


BTW, just to share how this event came about:

Some months ago, my colleagues and I were discussing about library events that we can organise as part of World Book Day and Copyright Day (many people don't know it's a UNESCO initiated event).

I remember thinking somewhere along the lines: Copyright, Creative Commons, Music.

Bounced some ideas off the Creative Commons Singapore discussion list (some helpful suggestions from there but nothing really concrete).

Then I thought of a contact, whom I knew was a rocker and a lawyer, though not specialising in IP law. And I emailed her (yeah, female rocker and practices law... don't play play ah!)

Asked if she would be interested in helping the library as a guest speaker. She replied yes almost immediately and even suggested a few other possible guests.

So come Saturday, 17th Apr 2010, meet: Linda Ong & Eng Teck (Lunarin), Kevin Mathews (Watchmen, The Crowd, Popland) and Daniel Sassoon (Livonia, Electrico).

No prizes for who my contact was :)

Thanks folks, for helping and supporting the public library.

[update: This librarian met these SG Rockers]

The Creative Crew April 2010 Meetup

I'll be speaking at the Apr 2010 Creative Crew meetup (13 Apr, Tampines Regional Library).

Specifically, I'm presenting a 30min segment on how "non-musicians" can use GarageBand to create tracks (write-up below, in bold). Will be referring to resource sites like ccMixter and FreeSound. And make reference to Creative Commons of course.



Incidentally, the Public Libraries has been hosting the Creative Crew meetups since Mar 2009. I'm happy to say that the collaboration is still going strong. And starting this year, the folks at Creative Crew agreed to feature musical-related segments. Which is why I'm in there. We'll also be working towards a Creative Commons project (more on that, later).

Here's an online resource list prepared for the Mar meetup, which is still relevant for Apr.

And here's the Apr programme:

Date/Time: 13 April 2010 (Tuesday), 6.45-8.45pm.
Venue: Tampines Regional Library, 31, Tampines Ave 7 Singapore 529620
Nearest MRT Station: Tampines
Tampines Buses : SBS Transit 8, 15, 18, 19, 27, 28, 29, 37, 38, 81, 168, 291, 293

Programme Details
6.45PM – Registration

7.00PM – Professional photo retouching by Stefano Virgilli
Stefano retouched the pictures of well known Italian photographers from 2002 to 2006. Last month he showcased the High Pass sharpening trick. This month, he will focus on other amazing retouching techniques, allowing the model to look younger and fresher while retaining her natural look as much as possible.


7.30PM – Creating music for beginners by Ivan Chew
Ivan Chew, a Garageband and DIY music enthusiast, will share how “non-musicians” can use Apple’s GarageBand software and Creative Commons licensed music samples to create soundtracks — instrumentals or vocal pieces — for videos and slideshows. By non-musicians, it means you don’t have to know how to play any instruments or sing to win Singapore Idol. All you need is GarageBand (which comes with your Mac), an ability to count (if you can count, you can keep in tune), and a connection to the Internet (to search and download free and legal music samples).

8.00PM – BREAK

8.15PM – Finally CS5! by Stefano Virgilli
Synopsis > Beta tester Stefano Virgilli will showcase some of the most
impressive new tools in Adobe Photoshop CS5! Do not miss it

8.45PM – END

Detecting suspicious Gmail account activity (or, "Digital Literacy & Roles of Public Libraries")

If you use Gmail on a regular basis, then you might want to read these two posts from the official Gmail Blog:

• Detecting suspicious account activity (March 24, 2010) by Pavni Diwanji, Engineering Director
• Remote sign out and info to help you protect your Gmail account (July 07, 2008) by Erwin D'Souza, Gmail Engineer

The posts elaborates on the measures that Gmail has introduced, with the lastest (i.e. Mar 2010) being an audit trial of when and where your account was accessed, as well as an automated checking/ warning feature.

Both features are useful, particularly for those who access Gmail from shared computers and/ or public terminals.

HOW MOST EMAIL ACCOUNTS MAY HAVED BEEN "HACKED"
In most cases, I suspect most email accounts get "hacked" not from deliberate attempts to crack into individuals' account, but from the carelessness/ lack of knowledge by the owners when they use a shared computer -- in school, cybercafe, a friend who also has many other friends using the terminal. Like this:

• You go to your email sign-in page, checked the "Stay Signed-In" option before you log into Gmail.
• You log into your email account, do what you have to do, and then close the browser. But you didn't sign out from your account.
• You leave the computer.
• A stranger pops by and uses the same computer. Goes to the same email sign-in page.
• If you have checked the "Stay signed-in" option and you didn't sign out, then your email account opens up right away. Because the computer was told to stay signed-in. already signedinthe computer doesn't know or care who is accessing the information.

No security feature is foolproof. It's just a matter of reducing the chances of the user making a mistake, or giving potential malicious hackers a harder time.

A feature like auto sign-out would help reduce the chances of someone stumbling onto your account, if you didn't log out. But potentially, if someone plonks right onto your vacated computer mere seconds after you leave, the auto sign-out feature may not have kicked in.

And the alerts are merely that -- an alert, as mentioned in the Gmail blog post:

"Keep in mind that these notifications are meant to alert you of suspicious activity but are not a replacement for account security best practices. "

[The same blog post has links to online security tips and best-practices]


Personally, I try to follow these practices if I use any computer that isn't my own:

1. Avoid using shared terminals if I can wait. And in most cases, things can wait. I'd rather not check my emails or access my Twitter or Facebook account, if I have to use a shared terminal. I'd rather get home to access my accounts if I can wait).
2. Empty the browser cache/ history/ Saved Passwords before shutting down/ leaving the computer (although this becomes a problem when I use a computer in a foreign country, and where the native language isn't English).
3. Always Remember Rule #1.

CYBER-SAFETY, DIGITAL LITERACY & ROLE OF PUBLIC LIBRARIES
I definitely think Cybersafety should be part of a Digital Literacy curriculum. And that public libraries (hence, public librarians) are well placed to be those that help deliver Cybersafety and Digital Literacy awareness -- either by inviting outside speakers or developing our own credibility/ expertise to conduct such sessions.

For every child and adult who've been exposed to cybersafety talks (e.g. schools, computer classes for seniors), I'm sure there are still many who have not. The topic is also quite broad, so chances are not everything can be covered.

Plus, people forget. Or they don't instantly make the connection with what they have been warned earlier.

Such cybersafety talks don't have to be be long drawn sessions. I imagine them as 10-minute teasers. Or just short on-the-spot presentations (to target the incidental library visitor), like how some retail outlets employ retail assistants to conduct quick demos.

It just so happens that the product the librarian is trying to "sell" is Cybersafety and Digital Literacy.

Ask this librarian: For art and music

I was just trying to be cheeky for the title.

You know, ask a librarian. Asking this particular one (i.e. me) not about music or art but FOR them.

ART and the Art of Asking
A few days ago, a 15 year-old student (he was Singaporean but was studying overseas) asked if I could send him some higher-res images of a series of illustrations I created for the re-opening of Bukit Merah Public Library (it was referred as a Community Library then, when I was still managing it).

Hint: If you want a favourable response from people (from me at least), ask politely. And it helps if you volunteer more information on the Whys and Hows (i.e. be specific).

Which he clearly did.

And later, when I asked for more information about the school event he mentioned, he also added how he intended to protect my intellectual property rights: adding a watermark each image, destroying the printed images, making sure it's not disposed in a public trash bin even, and to delete from his computer.

I wrote back to say he didn’t have to do all that. Mentioned about my adoption of Creative Commons license. He could use the images as he deem fit, as long as he credited them in the way I wanted.



As I replied to him, I realised I did not make the higher-res images available online (it was before I discovered Creative Commons).

So here they are, posted at my Flickr account, if any one is interested. Instructions on how to credit them are stated at the individual Flickr post.


MUSIC
And just a few weeks earlier, another student (not a Singaporean, and not in Singapore) emailed to ask if I was willing to help her team with a soundtrack for their film project.

She was a film student working on a film project about Chinese culture and Mahjong. She found my Erhu twilight sample track from ccMixter.org, felt it would be appropriate for her film, but needed someone to create a longer track.

This was more challenging that the art work, 'cos I had to create the track almost from scratch.

I decided to do it because I had the time, and it every musical challenge was a learning experience.

More important, the student was polite in her mails and was clear on what she requested (you spot the pattern here?).

Took about two hours and came up with the following:

• Full mix - Mahjong Melodies
• Erhu sample
• Guzheng sample

It's all CC-BY licensed. Information on how to credit the tracks, here.

Two days ago, she replied.

They didn't use my track. Not that they had to, but of course I'd hoped they would.

She explained that according to their marking criteria, if they used music that wasn't their original composition, they risked getting a zero for parts of their assessment. Meaning, their overall score would not be as high and they wouldn't get top marks.

She also apologised for not using the music, thanked me again, and said they should have reviewed their marking criteria fully before asking me to compose the track.

Far from being upset, I was happy they completed their film. I'd be 'upset' if I didn't hear from her (she could've just kept mum and not tell me).

I was also happy to learn that they eventually managed to find someone to teach them a little about percussion instruments. They used their new-found skills to create the sound effects for their film.

Speaking of which, do check out their film on YouTube:



IF YOU WANNA HELP, JUST HELP
When I related both cases to a friend, he asked me, "Aren't you worried you're being taken for a ride?"

He felt there was no guarantee that my efforts would result it my works being used. And even if they did credit my work the way I wanted, that may do nothing to publicise my work (the attention was on their own works).

At that time, I just shrugged and said "Maybe" and "Who knows?"

Later on my way home, I reflected on my friend's question and comment. Certainly, those concerns occurred to me. They always did. I tend to expect the worse, in fact.

But I agreed to those requests, knowing full well of possible 'unintended consequences'.

Because I wanted to.

Especially when people asked nicely.

eBooks for Public Libraries: Is the current business model sustainable?

In my previous post, I questioned if the whole eBook business model -- where public libraries are customers -- was sustainable.

I offer no answers nor earth-shaking mind-bending insights; only opinions :)

In essence, I suggest it's a question of managing costs.

First, what is the current business model where eBooks and public libraries are concerned?
Basically it works like this: The public library enters into a contract with an 'eBook vendor'. The contract is usually a license, where the vendor allows the public library to access the vendor's eBooks. The public library pays the vendor a fee, and there may be other technical restrictions for access (e.g. IP address, number of concurrent access).

Depending on the vendor's delivery platform, the eBooks may or may not be able to be downloaded to an eBook reader. The license fee has to be renewed at the end of the contractual term (meaning, access is terminated if there's no payment).


Why I feel there may be problems with the current eBook business model for public libraries
The main reason is that in the current eBook supply model, public libraries don't own the eBook copy (unlike the case for print books). The First-sale Doctrine does not apply.

Public libraries don't buy eBooks, not in the sense of owning then. In truth, public libraries pay a fee which we're able to pass on the right of access to our members.

Or to put in another way, public libraries are paying (on behalf of its members) for the convenience of accessing e-versions of the book.

The eBook vendors also impose a limit to the number of digital copies. I'm not privy to NLB's or any other libraries' contracts with their respective eBook vendors. But from the access policies, it's clear to me most eBook vendors do not allow unlimited access. Which means if the public library wants to obtain more digital copies, they need to pay more.

In short, it's about cost.


Costs of use of eBooks goes up rather than down
The more our users demand for eBooks, it's likely the cost will probably go up rather than come down.

It's simple math:

Let say the printed book (pBook) costs $10 and the eBook costs $2, or 5 times cheaper than pBook (in most cases, e-versions cost less than the paper versions).

Although the pBook is physical while the eBook is in bits and bytes, the eBook vendor isn't going to allow the library to make infinite copies. So the eBook is really a digital item treated and handled like a physical object, limiting its access.

And let's assume the pBook is loaned out for an average period of 10 days. Same as eBook (remember, the vendor forces the library to treat the eBook like a pbook).

In 300 days, both the pBook and eBook will circulate 30 times. The cost per pBook is $0.33 while the eBook is $0.06.

The eBook is cheaper, you say?

Ah, but the library owns the pBook and is free to let it circulate for another year. Or make it two more before it deems the pBook too worn to be kept. The pBook would have circulated 90 times. Or it costs $0.03 per loan.

The ebook, on the other hand, would have cost a total of $6 over three years (the public library has to keep paying the vendor each year, remember?). That will mean its cost per loan has increased to $0.07.

Plus we've not considered that users have to buy their own reader. I'm an optimist but even then I don't think it's possible for the public library to provide eBook readers for every of its members.

This means the eBook circulation is likely to be even less than the pBook. For a popular title, the pBook is definitely going to cost less.


eBooks are a cost-item, not an asset
For pBooks, it's an asset item whose cost of investment is amortised over time and with use. For eBooks, given the current business model, public libraries can only treat it as a cost item.

On the balance sheet it is a liability rather than an asset.


Time out...
Of course there are problems with my simple explanation above. Not all pBooks enjoy full circulation anyway. I've also neglected physical storage costs, or inventory holding costs.

Ah, but in reality, public libraries make do with their existing space (that's why we 'weed' collections to make room). This means the infrastructure cost for physical storage is amortised and again you have decreasing costs over time. In fact, the annual reports and financial statements of most -- if not all -- public libraries show that the largest chunk of the operational costs are staffing rather than assets.

All things equal, the eBook will cost the library more to provide compared to pBooks.


A different (cheaper) eBook business model for public libraries?
One of my colleague likes to say that the current reality for public libraries all over the world is a shrinking budget. I agree. Even for Singapore, that will be true.

Yet another reality is that the number of public library members -- who find the eBook format attractive -- will increase. More readers will expect the public library to provide eBooks (I'm not talking about replacement of pBooks, but the demand for eBooks).

But what then, would be that different business model for public libraries? The eBook vendor will charge a lump sum access fee, and allow unlimited copies for the year? Or allow buyers of eBooks to donate their eBook copy to the public library?

And still ensure that the eBook vendor/ publisher/ author still maintains a profit?

Or could public library members, who wish to have that added convenience of eBooks, share part of the costs? Where they pay just a little bit, as a premium service. That's possible if we view eBooks as an alternative format to print.


A question of balance
In the longer term, my bet is that eBooks will be more expensive than print, where public libraries are concerned. There are some who say the cost of eBooks are understated as it is.

Public libraries will have to calculate the total cost of service provision, and ensure that there's a balance between cost expenditure and asset investment.

A company like Apple, whose customer base is global, has the clout to force book sellers to lower prices. Public libraries don't. So the only way is to manage our own costs in view with our customers' use, demand and expectations of our collections and services.


A question of public commitment
When Andrew Carnegie set up a foundation to help establish public libraries, one requirement was that the people and government had to be willing to fund part of the operating costs.

His foundation's initial investment would have covered the building and the collections. The library owned the books and was free to lend them out as many times as people would want to borrow. There was no burden on him to constantly feed money into this black hole called a public library.

However, suppose Andrew Carnegie was told that his one-time donation was good only for one year. After that he would need to continue paying the eBook vendor to enable access to the eBooks. The more people used his library each year, the bigger the hole it burns in his pocket.

I bet Andrew Carnegie would think twice about setting up the public library in the first place.