Mark Smith on the TSL Launch of SimplyE with DPLA Content

Mark Smith, Director and Librarian, Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSL), was interviewed by RF Working Group Member Micah May on TSL’s launch of SimplyE with DPLA content.

Read the full blog post here.

Here are some highlights to whet your appetite to check out the full post:

“Prior to launching our project, E-Read Texas, there was no attempt at a statewide approach to procuring e-books other than those that came as part of bundled e-resource purchases [just] a patchwork of local access and no unified platform for libraries.

Our efforts were frustrated by the lack of a common platform and the complications posed by selection, meeting common needs across library types and sizes, and other challenges. We opted for SimplyE because it provided a solution that integrated with the local library ILS to offer an easy mobile access to both the library-purchased content and what we could provide from the state library.

Our timing was great in that we rolled out thousands of new e-book titles to the state just before and during the pandemic so that we have been able to provide growing access to e-books. We selected the DPLA Exchange for these purchases because of DPLA’s [free] membership model and strong support for SimplyE. TSLAC staff and the selection committee agreed early in the process that we wanted to buy books with favorable terms such as unlimited and simultaneous use, which is typical of much of the content from DPLA and BiblioBoard. These materials are already being used by Texans all across the state and as we grow the number of libraries using SimplyE, that number will continue to grow.

In the larger e-book ecosystem, the discussion of the cost of e-books and publisher interests, while momentarily muted in the aftermath of the Macmillan reversal, will return. The more emphasis we can bring to collections with favorable publisher terms, the better for library patrons.”

The ability to deploy content across platforms, integrating locally licensed content with state provided content, makes SimplyE outstanding for bringing diverse systems together. RF will watch TSL progress with great interest. Congratulations to Mr. Smith and the librarians in Texas for enhancing the library digital content experience.