New Product News – March/April 2012
Bibliotheca Launches New Global Product Range
Bibliotheca has announced the launch of its 2012 product range, which now offers customers a breadth of choice not previously seen within the library market. The flagship self-service (smartserve) collection has been developed to provide customers with a choice of five distinct options, each of which offers a selection of exciting features at price points to fit every library budget. Options range from built-in and tabletop to complete self-contained kiosks with cash and card payment and security case unlockers. The catalog also includes an improved and extended range of staff circulation stations, handheld devices, security gates together with totally new bulk transit/receipt and on-shelf reading solutions. Hardware will be supported by a new range of software products, all of which can be modified, controlled, and maintained by the group’s smartadmin central management platform. Within each product category, customers are provided with a range of technology choices, including barcode, electromagnetic (EM), and radio-frequency identification (RFID). Products became available for demonstration in January 2012 with first installations commencing April 2012. A new website will be launched later this quarter with full specifications and details of every product in the range. The Bibliotheca Group was formed in the spring of 2011 when the three leading independent companies of Bibliotheca (Switzerland), Intellident (UK), and Integrated Technology Group, ITG (North America) merged to create a single, global entity. The formation of this group creates the world’s largest company dedicated to the development, deployment, and support of RFID-based solutions,with particular focus on public, private, and academic library markets.
Midwest Tape Offers Titles with Original Artwork
Midwest Tape has partnered with Random House to provide public libraries with every audiobook from Random House, Books on Tape, and Listening Library––all with original artwork. These titles are now available for order via www.midwesttapes. com and will ship in their SoundSafe case. Additionally, Midwest has developed new Customized Standing Order Plans that ensure customers will receive a diverse array of Random House, Books on Tape, and Listening Library audiobooks as well as their exclusive content. As is the case with all Midwest standing order plans, customer plans are delivered as website carts and are automatically duplicate checked. There are no contracts, minimum order requirements, or obligations to order.
TLC and Overdrive Partner to Provide MARC Records
The Library Corporation and OverDrive have announced an agreement that enables OverDrive customers to order TLC MARC records and cataloging services simultaneously with their digital OverDrive materials. Using TLC’s streamlined BiblioFile OnDemand technology, MARC records for e-books, audiobooks, and music and video titles will be prepared and delivered directly to each OverDrive library ready to import in just a few days. Final testing is under way and is expected to go live soon.
News EBSCOhost App Available for Android Devices
EBSCO Publishing has released an EBSCOhost android app ensuring that Android device users can easily take full advantage of their premium EBSCOhost database content from wherever they happen to be. The latest option in EBSCO’s mobile access technology, the Android app provides the same search experience as that available when logging into EBSCO’s library resources online. Features include choosing which database to search; limiting to full text, date ranges, peer-reviewed content or by publication; and searching a library’s catalog. Additional features include the option to save articles and PDF full-text content on the device for offline viewing. The app can be used on devices running Android v. 2.1 or later.
Salem Press Introduces Library Grants Center Site
Salem Press has launched a new library grants site. The Library Grant Center differentiates itself from other sites more general in scope. Most sites specific to libraries target a type of grant (e.g., professional association grants) or type of library (e.g., libraries in public schools). Salem Press’s goal was to design a universaltool, the sole focus of which is library grants––but with coverage that includes every type of funding available. The center is free, requires no login or authentication, and will be updated on a regular basis. It also contains a how-to area with a tutorial, FAQ, and lists of resources. The Library Grants Center is divided into three main sections: National Library Grants, State Library Grants, and Library Grants: How-To, providing tips and links to other resources. Salem Press intends to keep the website as current as possible. Alerts for new opportunities will also be on their Facebook page. Salem Press is an independent library reference book publisher.
Smoothwall developers are also offering a feature to make Facebook read-only: You can look but you can’t click. Staff can keep an eye on their wall but not post anything.
eSequel Offers Remote Use
eSequels recently announced the availability of remote access to the eSequel database of novels in series. Users may now log in with a library card. eSequels has also improved indexing and added a What’s New section, which maintains a list of forthcoming series novels with their expected publication dates. The database is searchable by author, title, character, location, subject, and keyword. Each series is described and each title is annotated. Books are listed in the correct reading sequence. The product is easy to use and is a bargain at $30 per year. Like the book Sequels, first published by ALA in 1982 and now in its 4th edition (2009), this database aims to include the best, most enduring, and most popular novels in series that might appeal to today’s adult readers.
TechLogic Launches Media Surfer Kiosk
Tech Logic recently introduced MediaSurfer, a stand-alone machine that makes it easy for libraries to lend iPads and other media devices to library patrons. With a simple swipe of a library and credit card, patrons can use the intuitive touch screen to check out an iPad or other device to use for a designated period of time. A freestanding self-check kiosk that securely dispenses handheld tablets, manages tablet content, and automatically charges each tablet, MediaSurfer gives your patrons an easy way to access your digital collection. MediaSurfer fully integrates with any ILS, and library policies and procedures are customizable, including a variety of tracking and reporting functions. The MediaSurfer kiosk measures 53″ high, 30″ wide, and 27″ deep, and weighs 275 pounds. It is available for purchase or lease. Because MediaSurfer is the first of its kind, there is no need for an RFP process, and the units can be purchased directly from the manufacturer. MediaSurfer is patent pending.
ebrary Showcases Mobile App at ALA Midwinter
After recently launching download capabilities, ebrary has announced availability of a new app for iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. With ebrary’s new app, researchers can access content on the ebrary platform, including e-books that their librarians acquire from leading publishers and documents uploaded and integrated by librarians with DASH! (Data Sharing, Fast). Additionally, researchers can import their own personal research––outside of the ebrary platform. To make it easier to use ebrary, with or without the app, ebrary also announced the ability for researchers to sign-in with their Facebook usernames and password.
Crowley Debuts New Scanner Options
The Crowley Company has announced the debut of two new scanners. The first is UScan, the firm’s first self-manufactured on-demand microform scanner. Designed for walk-up patron use, the ultra-portable U-Scan unit fits easily on a standard desktop and digitizes all film formats (microfilm, microfiche, jumbo fiche, and aperture and micro-cards) as well as photographic materials (slides, negatives, and so on). U-Scan offers several advantages, the most apparent being a color digitization option. Additionally, the U-Scan provides an option for auto or batch scanning, valuable as the public becomes savvier in operating walk-up scanners. The unit measures 20.5″ by 11.5″ by 8.8″ without the optional roll-film carrier, which adds an extra 6″ depth. Features include a customizable icon-driven touchscreen interface, color scan options, and output to print, USB, e-mail, or cloud. U-Scan is slated to begin shipping in late spring. The Crowley Company provides digital document and film conversion services to the academic, publishing, commercial, government, and archive sectors. Crowley also manufactures, distributes, and services high-speed microfilm, microfiche, aperture card, book and document scanners, microfilm duplicators, film processors, and micrographics equipment.
Crowley has also announced the availability of the new Zeutschel zeta, which bridges the gap between expensive production-level book scanners and the needs of smaller-volume users. Ideally suited for walk-up patrons, records management operations, and low-end archival preservation, the zeta offers affordability, desktop size, touchscreen pad, and a green footprint. With zeta, the book lies on its back for scanning and is scanned from above; for the next copy the user can simply turn the page. Output to cloud services is under development and a pay-as-you-go feature is available as an add-on. Unit pricing starts at $10,000. Zeutschel GmbH is a leading specialist provider in the field of cultural possession protection and has been supplying devices, solutions and systems for document and archive management for more than fifty years. The Crowley Company is the exclusive North American distributor for Zeutschel products.
