BiblioTech is set to become the first all-digital public library in the U.S. The Texas county of Bexar is behind the digital library. BiblioTech will be located on the south side of San Antonio and will come equipped with computers, e-readers and WiFi. Library patrons will be able to read books at BiblioTech on e-readers and can check out e-books to read at home.
Officials in Bexar hope to have 10,000 titles available by the time the library opens, and trained staff will be available to help those who are technologically challenged. E-books are the way of the (book) future, so it only makes sense that libraries would ramp up their e-book offerings. Don't be shocked if libraries across the U.S. shift more towards e-books if BiblioTech proves to be popular and cost effective.
E-Book-Only Libraries
San Antonio's BiblioTech Will Be the US' First All-Digital Public Library
Trend Themes
1. All-digital Libraries - There is an opportunity for libraries to move away from physical books and embrace e-books only.
2. E-book Lending - Providing a way for users to check out e-books directly from libraries at home via e-readers can become a trend in the library space.
3. E-reader Education - Opportunity to provide training to the users of libraries to be more technologically savvy, and to make the transition to e-books and e-readers easier.
Industry Implications
1. Library Services - There is an opportunity for libraries to shift from physical books to e-books and serve library patrons with an all-digital library.
2. E-book Publishing - There is potential for increased demand for publishing providers to supply libraries with e-book titles as they move towards all-digital libraries.
3. E-reader Manufacturing - The makers of e-readers will benefit from libraries converting to e-books, as there will be demand for a slew of e-readers for e-book lending.