Book reviews

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I wonder if this might be an option for our young readers? I don't know how difficult it is to master the technology needed to make the videos. For my course in Maassluis I had to write about a Dutch author (I chose Elisabeth Mollema) and include reviews of her books. It was very difficult to find reviews for her children's books written by children and I made the suggestion that it may encourage children to review books if they could speak about books instead of write about them. Certainly children with dyslexia would benefit from this.
I like the way the children have been animated by their own drawings and yet been made more anonymous (privacy and safety) by not being filmed.

What's in a name?

I saw this video on the web page of the Guardian. If you'd like to read the accompanying article, use this link: ipad

The Espresso Book Machine

The Espresso Book Machine, launched in 2009, offers a print-side answer to some of e-books' many advantages. Through a new partnership with Xerox that improves both the technology and its distribution possibilities, it may soon be clear whether or not the concept takes off.

The Espresso Book Machine makes "library quality paperbacks" from digital files by connecting to a network of 3.3 million titles obtained with publishers' approval. Content owners retain full rights and control of their digital files. With the help of Xerox technology, the resulting Version 2.0 produces a 300-page book in less than four minutes and at a cost of less than one cent per page.

According to creator OnDemandBooks, "What Gutenberg's press did for Europe in the 15th century, digitization and the Espresso Book Machine will do for the world tomorrow."

The EBM presents an intriguing alternative to e-reading for those who prefer a physical book. From the reader's prospective, it grants quick access to a wide range of titles. On the author's side, the EBM - and technology like it - could offer competition in the growing area of self-publishing, a field where digital technology is increasingly replacing print-on-demand solutions.

OnDemand says it expects the Espresso Book Machine to be valuable for educational institutions and libraries, public libraries, and bookstores, and in self-publishing and multilingual environments. The company is now rolling out the 2.0 in North America and expects to have 80 machines in place by the end of 2011.

Hard Times

Ever wondered what Charles Dickens and Monty Python had in common?
Watch the (short! ) video about Dicken's novel "Zware Tijden"on the 'NRC boeken' page on our I-Bibliotheek and find out.

Blioreader

I've just read about an alternative for the e book. Accompanying the article was a video which I've placed here. Unfortunately it's in English but I hope that will not put people off viewing it. Perhaps it's something we can use in the children's library.