iCONN, Connecticut’s re-Search engine, currently has more than 1700 downloadable audio books for the use and enjoyment of any Connecticut resident with a valid public library card. In order to grow the collection faster, iCONN invites interested libraries to join a statewide collaborative for downloadable audio books.

Many small and medium-sized libraries would like to offer their patrons access to audio books for their iPhones, MP3 players and other devices, but cannot afford it. iCONN’s statewide collaborative now makes it possible for libraries to help make audio books available at a discounted rate. Here’s how it works:

Title Selection

iCONN’s digital audio book vendor, Ingram Library Services (ILS), sends out a weekly title list spreadsheet. ILS currently offers more than 8,000 titles, and the number increases monthly. Participating libraries will select titles of their choosing from any of these lists and send them to ILS for purchase.

Cost, Billing, Payment and Shipment

Currently the average cost of an ILS title is approximately $32.00. Libraries will be billed by ILS for the titles they select, and the titles will be added to the iCONN downloadable audio book web site for access by all. Titles selected by libraries for the statewide shared collection before June 30, 2010 are subject to an early adopter discount of 25%. Titles purchases after June 30, 2010 will be subject to a 3% discount. The amount of the discount may be greater depending upon the volume of combined purchases. Libraries will pay ILS directly for titles they purchase for the shared collection. ILS will notify the purchasing library and iCONN when a title the library has purchased for the shared collection has been added.

Access

Anyone anywhere can browse and search iCONN’s downloadable audio books collection from the web site at http://connstatelib.myilibraryaudio.com/. To checkout or place holds on titles requires users to access their iCONN downloadable audio books accounts by logging in with their Connecticut public library card number. This authentication system is maintained for iCONN by a cooperative arrangement between iCONN’s portal vendor Auto-Graphics and ILS.

Statistical Reports

iCONN generates a monthly statistical report that includes the number of checkouts and holds for each audio book title. The report also includes checkouts by users’ 5-digit library card number prefixes, so libraries can tell how many circulations are by their users, without knowing which specific user made the transaction. These reports are posted to the iCONN web site.

Maintenance

ILS charges an annual maintenance fee for every library that enters into an individual license with them. The fee includes setup and operation of a website for that library, the addition of new titles purchased by the library to the collection, and access for the library’s users. iCONN will continue to pay the maintenance fee for the statewide collaborative site, so participating libraries do not have to.

Technical Support & Troubleshooting

iCONN encourages libraries to act as the front line for user questions. Those questions that library staff cannot answer can be referred to iCONN. Technical issues can be reported to iCONN or directly to ILS.

Training

The State Library offers computer training courses regularly, and webinars and classes in iCONN’s downloadable audio books are included. Webinars can be scheduled upon request in a one-to-one or one-to-many format.

MARC Records

MARC records for titles in iCONN’s shared collection of downloadable audio books appear in reQuest, iCONN’s statewide catalog. Libraries that have accounts with reQuest can download the records to their own systems, either one at a time or in batches.

Pluses for Libraries

• Titles are selected by libraries, subject to a discount
• The annual maintenance fee is born by the State Library
• User authentication is sustained by iCONN
• Troubleshooting and technical support are by ILS by way of iCONN
• Training for librarians is provided by iCONN and ILS
• MARC records are available at no charge to libraries

Questions? Contact Eric Hansen at 860-704-2224 or 888-256-1222 toll-free (in Connecticut), or send e-mail to NOSPAMEric.A.Hansen@ct.gov (remove NOSPAM from address before mailing).

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