NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Penguin Group (USA), The New York Public Library, and 3M today announced
a pilot project that will make Penguin eBooks available to patrons of
both The New York Public Library and the Brooklyn Public Library. The
pilot program will begin in August and, if successful, could be rolled
out across the US.
Under the initial phase of the pilot, eBooks will be made available to
libraries for one-year with renewable terms. Library patrons will be
able to access eBooks remotely utilizing public-library compatible
reading devices. Titles will be available for lending six months after
initial publication.
David Shanks, Penguin Group (USA) CEO said, “We have always been
committed to libraries and we are hopeful that this experiment will be
successful. Our partnership with 3M and the New York Public Library is a
first step toward understanding the best means of supporting the growing
digital missions of our great library institutions and their sincere
desire to bring writers to new readers. Penguin has a long history of
broadening access to good quality literature beginning with our founder
Allen Lane, who popularized paperbacks in the 1930s. Bringing writers to
readers is what we do.”
Anthony Marx, New York Public Library President, said, "We are delighted
to partner with Penguin and 3M in this historic agreement, which is a
powerful first step toward libraries and publishers working
together to build a model that meets the needs of our ever-changing
society. Since our founding in 1895, The New York Public Library has
made it our mission to provide free books and educational materials for
all, particularly for those of limited means. As eBooks grow in
popularity, libraries nationwide have faced diminishing access to that
content. As such, the Library is determined to work together with
publishers and authors to craft a fair way to ensure eBooks are
available to libraries and their users.”
“We are delighted to be collaborating with Penguin and the New York
Public Library in order to find an eBook lending model that works for
all sides,” said Matt Tempelis, global business manager, 3M Cloud
Library. “The 3M team is dedicated to bringing the best content to our
library partners in ways that work for both the libraries and
publishers. This is a great step in that direction.”
“We are excited to partner with Penguin Group (USA) to make their eBooks
available to our patrons. Brooklyn Public Library’s eContent collection
currently offers more than 28,000 titles, and in the past fiscal year,
we have tripled our eBook acquisitions budget,” said Linda E. Johnson,
President and CEO of Brooklyn Public Library. “This new partnership will
enable us to significantly increase the number of eBooks in our
collection and will make it possible for patrons to access Penguin’s
titles in the format that best suits them.”
About Penguin Group (USA)
Penguin
Group (USA) Inc. is the U.S. member of the internationally renowned
Penguin Group. Penguin Group (USA) is one of the leading U.S. adult and
children's trade book publishers, owning a wide range of imprints and
trademarks, including Viking, G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Penguin Press,
Riverhead Books, Dutton, Penguin Books, Berkley Books, Gotham Books,
Portfolio, New American Library, Plume, Tarcher, Philomel, Grosset &
Dunlap, Puffin, and Frederick Warne, among others. The Penguin Group (www.penguin.com)
is part of Pearson plc, the international media company.
About The New York Public Library
The
New York Public Library is a free provider of education and information
for the people of New York and beyond, operating 90 libraries—including
research and branch libraries—throughout the Bronx, Manhattan, and
Staten Island. The Library system offers free materials, computer
access, classes, exhibitions, programming and more to everyone from
toddlers to scholars, and has seen record numbers of attendance and
circulation in recent years. The New York Public Library serves more
than 18 million patrons who come through its doors annually and millions
more around the globe who use its resources at www.nypl.org.
About Brooklyn Public Library
Brooklyn
Public Library (BPL) is an independent library system for the 2.5
million residents of Brooklyn. It is the fifth largest library system in
the United States with 60 neighborhood libraries located throughout the
borough. BPL offers free programs and services for all ages and stages
of life, including a large selection of books in more than 30 languages,
author talks, literacy programs and public computers. BPL’s eResources,
such as eBooks and eVideos, catalog information and free homework help,
are available to customers of all ages 24 hours a day at our website: www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org.
About 3M Library Systems
3M
Library Systems is committed to helping libraries thrive by providing
cutting edge technologies including RFID, automated materials handling
(AMH), self check and security solutions, as well as our latest
innovation 3M Cloud Library, the fastest growing eBook Lending Service.
Finding the technology solution that is right for each unique library,
3M’s promise is to deliver a long-term partnership that is built to
exceed expectations. Follow us on Twitter @3MLibrary or visit www.3M.com/us/library.
