Product News

Freading is New E-Book Service Model for Libraries

At the 2011 ALA Annual Conference, Library Ideas announced that their new ebook platform, Freading (free reading), would launch on September 1. Freading launched with twenty thousand e-books, available for purchase on a patron-driven, per-use basis. This new business model has no upfront cost, platform charges, or access fees, and has tools to allow libraries to control their spending over the course of a budget year. Participating libraries and patrons will have simultaneous access to titles without buying multiple copies. Participating publishers and authors will get paid for each transaction. Sixteen publishers have agreed to supply content, including Sterling Publishing, Sourcebooks, Andrews McMeel, and Regnery Publishing. Library Ideas is in discussions with additional publishers and intends to expand the content on a continual basis.