Kids’ reading platforms are proliferating like crazy. The best offer a great reading experience and some great books. But none of them have all the best books. And only a few are available to libraries.
Why do kids have to jump from app to app to get the content they want? This publisher here, that one there. History over here, science over here. Picture books in one place, chapter books in another.
Why can’t we pull it all together?
No matter how many books their families buy them, kids always need free books. Not a select list or a special of the week. The books they want the moment they’re ready for them. From the best and most reliable source, the library.
I want the library to be the first place kids look for ebooks.
I want to show them everything we have to offer in one place–our catalog.
I want to offer a great reading experience on any device, not just for chapter books, but for picture books, graphic novels, and photo-heavy nonfiction.
I want to load up our collection with the best books that publishers–all publishers– have to offer.
I want it all in our catalog and accessible with a click.
This is the experience libraries could provide. Why are we settling for less?
What do you think we could do to make better e-reading experiences for kids? Please share your ideas in the comments!
We would love to hear from you. Please email us at digitalcontenttaskforce@gmail.com
Also, please join our ALSC Digital Content Task force group on ALA Connect. Share ideas! Add to discussions!
Rachel
This month’s blog post by Rachel Wood, ALSC Digital Content Task Force (virtual committee)
Acting Materials Division Chief
Arlington (VA) Public Library