Post

The Booksellers Association states volunteer-run libraries are “unsustainable”

In budgets, business models, Europe, public libraries, publishing industry on January 13, 2012 by pcgplus

The Booksellers Association, along with the Publishers Association and the Society of Authors, provided written statements to the Department for Culture Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of an inquiry into library closures. These three entities aim to provide support for public libraries in the face of substantial funding cuts and a growing urgency for substantial changes to create a financially viable system in the long-term.

The BA argued that “There are no comprehensive guidelines for voluntary-run libraries and we cannot believe they will be sustainable in the long term.” Prominent library campaigner Desmond Clarke also added, “The committee’s decision to inquire into library closures indicate they are very much aware of the level of public concern and anger. While people understand that cuts are necessary, there is a strong feeling that these have been disproportionate and too little has been done to improve operational efficiency and reduce the 151 separately managed authorities.”

To view the complete article at the Bookseller, go to: http://www.thebookseller.com/news/libraries-are-essential-trade-tells-mps.html

Leave a Comment

Post

The ACRL Approves New “Standards for Libraries in Higher Education”

In budgets, higher education, PCG, publishing industry on November 2, 2011 by pcgplus Tagged: , ,

LibraryJournal.com reports that the Association of College and Research Libraries’ Board of Directors approved a comprehensive revision of the association’s Standards for Libraries in Higher Education (SLHE) in October. This revision is meant to provide a stronger framework by which research libraries can demonstrate their value while facing growing scrutiny in a tough economic environment.

“These standards differ from previous versions by articulating expectations for library contributions to institutional effectiveness,” said University of Nevada-Las Vegas Dean of University Libraries Patricia Iannuzzi, who chaired the SLHE task force. “They also differ structurally from the previous version by providing a comprehensive framework using an outcomes-based approach, with evidence collected in ways most appropriate for each institution.”

To access a copy of the approved standards as well as to sign up for a introductory webcast, please go to:

 http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/acrl/standards/standardslibraries.cfm

Leave a Comment

Post

Google’s Infinite Digital Bookcase

In Uncategorized on October 21, 2011 by pcgplus

On Tuesday, the Google Blog unveiled their latest offering to the eBook world – a digital “infinite bookcase”. Google explains “…we imagined something that looks like the shelves in your living room, but is also capable of showcasing the huge number of titles available online—many more than fit on a traditional shelf. “ While still in its experimental phase, some users will be able to browse the bookcase at WebGL Bookcase or you can check out a quick tour below:

 

Leave a Comment

Post

The People’s Library

In North America, PCG, public libraries, Uncategorized on October 19, 2011 by pcgplus Tagged: , , ,

An interesting byproduct of the Occupy Wall Street movement cropped up shortly after the start of the protest on September 17th. Starting as a pile in a cardboard box, a collection of books has grown into a full-fledged library for the OWS population, complete with a reading room and online catalog provided by Library Thing. An article in the American Libraries Magazine, the magazine of the American Library Association, details this development and explains some of the changes facing the library. “OWSL also has issues of space and access, growth being among its biggest concerns,” as book donations from individuals, publishers, and booksellers are constantly flowing in. You can read the full article here: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/10182011/library-occupies-heart-occupy-movement

Leave a Comment

Post

Semantic Web – what gives?

In online platforms, PT, publishing industry, publishing technology, Uncategorized on October 17, 2011 by pcgplus Tagged:

If you, like many publishers, have been wondering why there is so much talk about semantic web, Publishing Technology has a series of videos on its blog that can give you the quick basics.

These cover the details of what semantic web technology can do for you as a publisher and why you should care. To discuss it in more detail, you can contact Rebecca Appleby in our Cambridge, MA office (rebecca.appleby@publishingtechnology.com).

Leave a Comment

Post

Breaking News: PCG to Represent New Bloomsbury Academic Collections Worldwide

In customer service, marketing, PCG, sales on October 11, 2011 by pcgplus

Bloomsbury Publishing has selected PCG to be its exclusive sales, marketing and customer service partner for its two newest projects: The Churchill Archive and Drama Online.

PCG will leverage its expertise in the international library market to promote and sell these prestigious collections, published entirely in digital format for the first time.

More information on this announcement to follow.

Leave a Comment

Post

Survey estimates publishers only increasing prices 4-6% in 2012

In budgets, library market, publishing industry on October 11, 2011 by pcgplus

In a recent survey poll of both large and smaller sized publishers, EBSCO projects that academic and Medical libraries can expect the same 4-6% increase in serials pricing for 2012 as in 2011.

As Steve Bosch from University of Arizona commented, “It seems that publishers may be listening to librarians who are increasingly vocal about the need to bridge the gap between reduced budgets and increasing subscription prices”

Despite a positive outlook, many libraries still face budget cuts. As the article highlights:

“Nevertheless, as libraries struggle with budget cuts, even these lower projected price increases could mean more cancelled periodicals. As reported in LJ’s Periodicals Price Survey, 34 percent of 450 respondents to EBSCO Information Services’ 2011 Library Collections and Budgeting Trends Survey—mostly academic libraries—reported budget cuts for 2011, and 44 percent expected cuts in the next fiscal year. The migration from print—or print plus online—to online only will continue in 2012, and subscriptions in all formats will be subject to cancellation to fit within budget parameters.”

Please visit The Library Journal website for additional information on this article : http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/community/academiclibraries/892115-265/ebsco_projects_4_to_6.html.csp

Leave a Comment

Post

Harvard Libraries Unite

In higher education, library market on October 11, 2011 by pcgplus

After months of review, the Harvard University library system has implemented a new structure merging individual libraries into groups based on similar collection needs.

In a recent letter posted on the harvard.edu website, Provost Alan Garber explains the shift in more detail:

“This affinity group model maintains the individuality of the libraries while providing mechanisms for the cross-campus collaboration that the system needs for its strategic development and overall organizational effectiveness. An organizational design can be viewed on the Library Transition website. Although this plan is the product of a broad set of conversations across the libraries and the Schools, flexibility will be an integral part of the plan’s implementation.”

To read more on this announcement please visit the following link: http://isites.harvard.edu/icb/icb.do?keyword=k77982&pageid=icb.page459518.

Leave a Comment

Post

Launch of Publishing Technology China

In Asia, library market, marketing, PCG, publishing industry, publishing technology, Scholarly publications on September 1, 2011 by pcgplus

Publishing Technology China launches at the Beijing International Book Fair

Company to offer full-service digital publishing solutions for Chinese content.

London and Beijing, 31st August 2011 – Publishing Technology plc (LSE: PTO), the largest provider of software and services to the publishing industry, has announced its expansion into the prospering Chinese market by delivering local online hosting platforms and domestic sales representation.

Based in Beijing and managed by digital publishing expert Helen Sun, Publishing Technology China will directly target Chinese publishers, offering a complete publishing solution through ingentaconnect, the largest single platform for research publishers. Ms. Sun will combine her vast industry experience and knowledge of the Chinese market with an existing network of experienced sales representatives located around the country. The innovative technology together with native expertise will increase visibility of Chinese content, create new revenue streams, and facilitate sales to researchers and librarians globally.

The joint venture is the latest extension of Publishing Technology’s operations as demand for digital publishing solutions increases across the globe. Home to over 15,500 electronic publications and over 250 partners, the ingentaconnect interface will be offered in both Mandarin and Cantonese along with a subset of high-profile content to several thousand libraries across the country, creating a new user base for international publishers in addition to encouraging Chinese publishers to move online.

As part of the launch, the company’s Publishers Communication Group (PCG) division will also leverage the established national sales network to roll out its sales and marketing services. Initially, PCG will represent the American Association for Cancer Research in mainland China, as well as BioOne in China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

George Lossius, CEO of Publishing Technology, commented: “The Chinese publishing industry is fast-paced and flourishing, currently growing at an astonishing rate of 19% a year. With over 8,000 academic journals and a booming scientific research community, second only to that of the US, China represents a major opportunity for us – and it is also relatively untapped in terms of digital resources for publishers and end users. Helen is a tremendously talented digital publishing expert with a proven track record in the Chinese market. This, coupled with Publishing Technology’s innovation and market-leading product, will make it a winning partnership.”

Helen Sun, CEO of Publishing Technology China said: “It is a great honour to work with such a trusted and established company as Publishing Technology, and even more exciting to become a part of it. The joint venture with Publishing Technology will provide not only world-leading technologies with proven marketing and customer service support to Chinese publishers, but it will also offer a great distribution platform in China to all publishers across the Atlantic. Our partnership combines leading digital technologies with digital content providers that already have a wide network within the publishing industry and library community in China and we look forward to welcoming more publishers to our rapidly increasing client base.”

 

Leave a Comment

Post

Usage Statistics – Not just for Libraries!

In library market, marketing, PCG, usage statistics on July 7, 2011 by pcgplus

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Janet Fisher in the Publishing Technology Blog

Publishers always depend on data: may it be the number of copies purchased by a bookstore or wholesellers for book publishers, or the profile of their subscribers to a particular title or collection for journal publishers. But today, we have to know more. In the world of electronic publishing we have to know how much usage our products are getting and how they are being used. This issue was examined in a valuable session at the June 2011 meeting of the Society of Scholarly Publishing (www.sspnet.org).

Library customers have for years now stressed the importance of receiving COUNTER-compliant usage statistics for the electronic materials to which they subscribe. But publishers today must also mine the information they can collect from their electronic platforms in order to market their products most effectively to new potential customers and to retain their current subscribers.

In our renewal campaigns, Publishers Communication Group (PCG) finds that one of the major reasons for cancelling a subscription is lack of usage (http://www.pcgplus.com/pdfs/trends_05_10.pdf). To proactively avoid these situations, publishers can now examine their usage reports to gain a better understanding of some of the questions below. For example:

  • What is the average cost per download for different pricing tiers?
  • If an institution has registered for an online trial, is it being used?
  • What is the average usage of Doctoral-granting institutions versus Masters-granting institutions and Baccalaureate-granting institutions?
  • What is the usage of backfile content as compared to frontfiles? Can this be used to promote archive purchases to the institution?

Google Analytics can also be employed to add further context to standard usage information. The day is coming when the standard renewal notice will include not just price and type of subscription, but information harvested from a variety of data gathering tools about how valuable the content has proven to be at the institution.

In addition to being a valuable tool for renewals, usage statistics can help publishers to identify strong prospects for new subscriptions. Monitoring turnaways and where they are coming from should lead publishers to institutions that are likely to have a high interest in their content.

Publishing Technology’s marketing division Publishers Communication Group helps publishers sort through all this data to develop plans for leveraging the tools at their disposals. As a result, well-designed campaigns can help boost usage where it is too low and find valuable new prospects. Contact us at inquire@pcgplus.com for more information.

Leave a Comment

« Older Entries
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 91 other followers