Some Innovative License Models from DPLA
/RF sat with Jill Blades and Micah May of DPLA to hear more about some innovative models available through the DPLA Exchange, a non-profit library digital content platform.
“The models came about, “ May explained, “because we asked. The publishers proved to be receptive. They told us, ‘Hmm, nobody ever asked us for that before’.”
First, Workman and now Abrams Books have agreed to variable models through the Exchange:
A Perpetual Access One-User-at-a-Time model is available
A 40 lend (only by circ, with no time limit) model is also available. Up to 10 circulations at a time can be simultaneous.
Independent Publishers Group (IPG) is epxected to join with these models in spring, with yet another “sampler” option: libraries will be able to get a 5 lend bundle of titles to gauge interest.
Also worthy of mention is the arrangement with Biblioboard (“Just click and Read!”), under which libraries pay $10 per 20 titles, and the titles are always available, use is simultaneous for all, and the ebooks never expire for the user. 16,000+ titles are available.
The DPLA Exchange is now also offering audiobooks, which will be also available through the SimplyE app sometime in spring or summer, and has vastly exanded its non-English offerings.
As ReadersFirst has long advocated, variable licenses with a perpetual access offering (perhaps slightly more expensive but worth it) and other (metered) options allow us to use our funding most efficiently. We can license based upon demand but still ensure long-term access. Publishers that work with us are likely to find their library sales grow, unsure better long-term visibility for theri titles, and yes, earn money for authors. Thanks to these publishers for their flexibility and for the DPLA for innovating.
More details on the audiobooks as they become available through SimplyE!