eBooks and the Disabled
Among the many ebook vendors at ALA Mid-Winter was GalaxyLibrary.com, a division of ION Systems, Inc. GalaxyLibrary.com's main focus is to "deliver content in an enhanced and secure manner to readers over the Internet" (from company brochure). Presently, their content includes approximately 1,000, predominately public domain titles. However, deals are in the works with many publishers, including some from South Africa, Spain, Brazil and Mexico. GalaxyLibrary.com expects a collection of 25,000 titles by the end of the year.
GalaxyLibrary.com allows its publishers to determine in which ebook formats any given title should be available. Presently, the options include PDF, Microsoft Reader, Palm Pilot, HTML, Glassbook, Rocket, SoftBook, Gemstar, goReader, Franklin, Everybook, Windows CE and Ion Online. Ion Online is GalaxyLibrary.com's own proprietary and mandatory format. The enhancements that the Ion Online format provide are twofold. The first is that no additional software or equipment is needed to view the books, as the Ion Online format is accessible to PC, Macintosh and Unix systems.
The second enhancement is for the visually impaired. The font sizes can be adjusted by the user up to size 96 font.
As the font sizes change, the text is reformatted on the page so that there is never any need to scroll-- an 11-page chapter is turned into a 684-page chapter with little more than a few words per page.
GalaxyLibrary.com is now offering a public library edition, which allows libraries to purchase access on behalf of its patrons to GalaxyLibrary.com's suite of titles. After a local-level authentication process in completed, patrons can select a GalaxyLibrary.com title and view it in the font size of their choosing from the comfort of their home. Presently, GalaxyLibrary.com does not provide MARC records, so it is up to each institution to find ways to alert its patrons to the available titles. This may be difficult as the collection is not static. As GalaxyLibrary.com's collection grows, so does the collection to which a subscriber library has access. Presently, GalaxyLibrary.com is offering a special 3-month trial offer for $195. This includes a 3-month subscription (normally $99-$299/month), free initial set up (fee normally $49) and free promotional package to help inform your patrons. This offer ends February 28th. Consortial subscription pricing is also available at a cost of $100 per building per month.
GalaxyLibrary.com hopes that patrons will be encourage to purchase their own copy of GalaxyLibrary.com titles. Since the titles can be formatted (with publisher's permission) in a wide range of ebook formats, patrons can purchase a title in whatever format best suites their ebook reading preferences. Libraries will receive 10% of the purchase price for any GalaxyLibrary.com title that its patrons purchase. Patrons will also have the option of ordering a title in print and can specify a font size of 14, 16, 18, 24 or 36.
In the works are plans to make GalaxyLibrary.com titles available in braille. Seeing impaired patrons will be able to download GalaxyLibrary.com books to refreshable Braille devices, a service that can be included in a library's subscription. Or, for a cost charged to the patron, a Braille book could be pressed and mailed. Similarly, audio versions of the GalaxyLibrary.com books will be available. Patrons could listen to the book online (included in the library's subscription) or pay for an audio version burned onto a CD and mailed.
GalaxyLibrary.com plans to have a booth at ALA San Francisco in June and the BookExpo in Chicago in late May.
Additional Information:
Regular Monthly Subscription rates billed quarterly (effective 3/1/01)
| Under 5,000 patrons | $99/month |
| 5,000 - 9,999 patrons | $199/month |
| Over 10,000 patrons | $299/month |
GalaxyLibrary.com
ION Systems, Inc.
107 Mississippi Avenue
Crystal City, MO 63019
1-800-983-6397
mailto:info@ionsystems.com