In a move that could potentially phase out the physical library, Singapore's National Library Board (NLB) is now allowing any Internet-enabled individual to read a book on loan online.
This is possible through the board's newly launched eLibraryHub, which puts it almost in the same league as the Library of Congress in the US.
However, the online initiative is not meant to replace but, rather, complement the physical setup, noted NLB senior director of development Chan Ping Wah.
A S$4 million development, eLibraryHub's digital catalogue may not be on par with that of the Library of Congress. In addition, JK Rowling's bestsellers, or any fiction titles for that matter, are not available on eLibraryHub.
Its current lineup of some 10,000 reference books and 13,000 electronic magazine titles is humble, but it is just a beginning.
The online initiative is aimed at bringing convenience to library goers--many of whom are IT-savvy--as well as reach non-visitors, said Chan at a press conference today. As he put it: "If you don't go to the library, it now comes to you."
At eLibraryHub, registered users do not have to install any special software to read the 10,000 e-books, with topics ranging from gardening and health to business and finance. All they need is a Web browser. The loan of books is also free, although a maximum loan period of three weeks applies, as with a physical library.
On copyright issues, Chan told reporters today: "It is impossible to prevent people from doing a print-screen, as with photo-copying a physical book."
Besides reading books online, users can also download some 13,000 electronic magazines and journals, such as the Far Eastern Economic Review and Harvard Business Review. Magazine downloads will cost S$2.50 each and journal downloads S$5 each.
Payments can be made via cash cards or credit cards. Alternatively, users can set up an online debit account with the virtual library.
Another key feature of eLibraryHub is personalization. For example, users can search for a certain book title, and park it on his virtual bookshelf so that it can be easily retrieved when he accesses the site again later. Users can also check both their offline and online loan status and outstanding transactions through eLibraryHub.
NLB embarked on the online project in March 2000. Its vendors are IT solutions provider National Computer Systems Pte Ltd, Web services firm Aretae Ltd and community applications service provider CoolConnect Pte Ltd.
Also in the pipeline is the streaming of some 900 educational video and 700 CD-ROM titles, such as Discovery Channel programs, onto users' PCs through a broadband connection, said Chan. He could not provide the time frame and pricing details but said that multimedia services are currently offered at the physical library branches for S$0.03 a minute.
Established in September 1995, NLB oversees the management of the National Library at Stamford Road, as well as 20 community libraries and 45 children's libraries. They handled a total of 25 million loans last year.
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