iSsues & IDEAS errorcanissa torre THE VOICE, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2012 7 Libraries offer more than books dian Library Mont A look at what’s new at local libraries for Cana a ag ALEX SKERDZHEV photo The increasing popularity of e-readers and changes in the publishing industry have libraries unsure of how to meet demands for ebooks. Demand for ebooks growing But local librarians worry that supply for libraries could dry up By JANA MINOR ecent seismic shifts in the pub- lishing and technology indus- tries may soon be felt at your local library. The Vancouver Public Library has met the growing demand for ebooks, but all of its purchases currently come from American publishers. The recent merger of U.S.-based Random House and Penguin to form the world’s largest publishing house could affect the pricing and availability of ebooks for libraries. “They have two very different ap- proaches to how they sell [to librar- ies],” said Christina de Castell, director of resources and technology at VPL, elaborating that Random House’s poli- cy has been to sell without restrictions, whereas Penguin halted all ebook sales to libraries in 2011. “There are some publishers charg- ing more for libraries to buy ebooks because unlike physical books they don’t wear out,” said Oakridge VPL branch manager Kirsty Elmslie. But publishers also stand to profit far more from personal ebook purchas- es than from library copies lent to per- sonal devices. It remains to be seen which library ebook policy the newly amalgamated Random House-Penguin will adopt. Dana Chen, a librarian at the Oakridge branch, said the biggest chal- lenge with ebooks is “the expectation that we have unlimited copies and [pa- trons] can get the bestseller right away.” In reality, ebooks operate the same as hard copy books, with each copy only available to one borrower at a time via the VPL website, and all ebook edi- tions are shared among all branches. “And ebooks are getting more expen- sive,” added Elmslie, which means li- braries won’t be able to buy as many copies with limited budgets, a trend that may accelerate as publishers merge and concentrate pricing control. E-readers are also in flux as they be- gin to resemble the Palm Pilots of book technology. “People are using their tablets so much that maybe e-readers will go away completely,” Elmslie said, which would further impact ebook markets. But as technology and publishers streamline, public libraries are choos- ing to diversify. Branches now offer job training classes, teen programs, movie nights and the recently unveiled Van- couver Inspiration Pass (VIP). “Tt’s a pass where a family can go to places like the art gallery, the aquari- um and Science World for free,” said Elmslie. Passes are signed out like books, allowing borrowers access to 22 attractions for up to two weeks. There are already over 4,000 holds on the 120 passes available. Patrons must live in Vancouver to request a pass, which can be done on- line or through your local branch. LIBRARY events REEL READS MOVIE NIGHT Free showing of the classic movie Roman Holiday Thursday, Nov. 8 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Alice McKay Room at the central library LIFE ON THE DEAD BEAT Globe and Mail columnist Tom Hawthorn reads from Deadlines: Obits of Memorable British Columbians Monday, Nov. 12 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Alma VanDusen Room at the central library JANA MINOR photo The ever-popular book sales at the central branch of the Vancouver Public Library will only happen once a year after a recent trustee vote, with additional sales online. h this November Book clubs offer unique experience Joining one is a social way to explore what otherwise can be a lonely pastime By STEVEN CHUA erary outlet, and local librarians say starting one is as simple as showing some commitment. Anne Dodington, a librarian at the Vancouver Public Library’s Dunbar branch said a set meeting place and time are often enough to get a book club off the 66 ground. B:: clubs offer readers a social lit- “It’s kind of Reading a like exercise classes,” she book can be said, noting that lonely by book enthusiasts yourself seem to react positively to the LINDA SIEGEL structure of book club meetings the same way participants react to re- curring exercise classes. Langara College Library spokes- woman Annie Jensen says student in- terest is critical to starting a book club on campus. “Tf students have ideas for how they might use the learning commons space, we want to hear them,” she said. For Emily Nowicki, a second year Langara recreations student, the sight and smell of costumed storytellers and popcorn lured her to the Langara li- brary’s Halloween book reading hosted by English instructor Karen Budra. Budra said audiences keep coming to book readings because they’re im- pacted by what they hear, and it’s an experience they can’t replicate when reading alone. UBC special education professor Linda Siegel seconds that opinion. “Reading a book can be lonely by yourself,” Siegel said, adding that group discussions allow people to en- gage in stories in ways they never would alone. South Vancouver VPL branches Oakridge and South Hill offer book clubs, and welcome inquiries for more information on how to join. Library book sales set to digitize The popular book sales at the central library branch are reduced to once a year, remainder sold online BY JULES KNOX neouver bibliophiles will be left Yossie for books after trustees decided to reduce the number of book sales sponsored by the library this year. The library has decided to hold one sale a year instead of two, and they are looking for an organization that will sell any extra books that don’t fit into their limited storage. “Book sales are extremely popular, and we can see this with our own eyes as people start lining up to get in on the first day of the sale,” said Daphne Wood, a library spokeswoman. But the popularity of the book sales alone won’t keep them happening more often. The labour-intensive nature of book sales, along with an overall decline in demand for books, has led many other libraries across Canada to sell donated books through a third party. Wood estimates that about half the books donated to the library will be di- verted to the third party, with the rest sold at the annual book sale. Better World Books, currently used by the Hamilton Public Library, is one organization the VPL is considering. “Better World Books is great be- cause there just isn’t any hassle,” said Michael Ciccone, the Hamilton library spokesman. “We believe that it’s an im- portant community service to have a book sale, but the material just isn’t selling as well as it used to.” The organization runs free of charge for libraries, picking up books from li- braries then selling them online. Libraries receive 20 per cent of sales, and an additional five per cent is do- nated to charities that support literacy. The Hamilton Library has received approximately $21,000 from 65,000 books since May 2011. “T think this decision is a mistake be- cause second-hand book sales are ex- tremely important for lower income people,” said Christine Nguyen, a Lan- gara arts and sciences student. “But I understand that the library doesn’t have the resources to hold book sales all the time and it needs the mon- ey.” For readers in search of second-hand books, many local branches will still of- fer ongoing sales. The Friends of the Vancouver Public Library, a group of volunteers that fun- draises for the library, will also contin- ue to hold book sales offering books that have been donated to their own organization.