Early Release Program Readies Amigos eShelf Service e-book Platform for Launch

Amigos Library Services is in the final stages of testing the Amigos eShelf℠ Service e-book platform. With plans to launch later this year, the service is an affordable, flexible option for libraries seeking to capitalize on their patrons’ growing use of electronic books, known as e-books.

An early release program is underway. Participating libraries are testing and refining the service in a live scenario as the final step before the service's rollout later this fall. Early release libraries use the Amigos eShelf℠ Service with little financial impact, paying only for those e-books they purchase through the program.

The Amigos eShelf℠ Service offers libraries an online platform utilizing Amigos’ infrastructure to host and circulate e-books. Other benefits of this service are that Amigos negotiates agreements with e-book publishers, and libraries are able to integrate titles they have purchased into their existing collections or provide them separately.

Amigos began work on the project in early 2013 with a grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. In July 2013, Amigos invited 18 public and academic librarians to a brainstorming session to hear what they wanted from an e-book platform. Amigos then began contacting individuals, organizations, and vendors currently using or planning to create e-book platforms to identify the advantages and disadvantages of various options and provide guidance on what to expect.

To date, the Amigos eShelf℠ Service has completed agreements with nine publishers representing over 60 imprints and 25,000 titles, and expects to continue adding publishers and titles as the service grows.

For more information about the Amigos eShelf℠ Service, contact Christine Peterson, peterson@amigos.org, eshelf@amigos.org or 800-843-8482, ext. 2891.

This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (Texas State Library and Archives Commission). (2015)