Innovations Continue for 3M Cloud Library

ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--3M Library Systems will showcase continuing innovations in its 3M Cloud Library eBook Lending Service at the American Library Association Midwinter Meeting beginning January 20. With word spreading through the library community about the system’s ease of use and growing list of offerings, ALA attendees will be able to see for themselves the unique turnkey system of digital content, in-library hardware, and apps for borrowing and reading.

“We are excited to transition to the 3M Cloud Library, which supports us in this philosophy and will be a valuable partner as we continue building our digital collection.”

Visitors to the 3M booth will be able to see a demonstration of the new 3M Cloud Library app, 3M Discovery Terminals and 3M eReaders, which are in use by patrons of several of the system’s current beta sites, including the St. Paul Public Library, Kansas Digital Library Consortium, and the Mobile Public Library of Alabama. The app is currently available on Android and iOS platforms.

Beta site users are now discovering the 3M Cloud Library’s outstanding ease of use, as 3M has created the easiest way to install and start using its app. By eliminating the need for an Adobe ID, 3M allows patrons to simply install the app, select their library, and enter their library card number, after which they can browse the system, check out and read books. The 3M Cloud Library never asks for personal information from patrons, and doesn't require an email address or a new password like many competitive systems require. All that is needed is valid library card number in good standing.

3M supports the philosophy that libraries should own their content after purchase. By working with the State Library of Kansas to help transfer content from their previous eBook provider, 3M is discovering publishers that support that philosophy as well. As a digital distributor of content, 3M has designed the Cloud Library system to support library eBook license ownership after the sale. Additionally, if a customer wishes to terminate their relationship with 3M and move to a new platform provider, 3M will not restrict the library from transferring their eBook licenses to a new platform.

“Our stance is that ownership of e-content should not be treated any differently than physical content,” said Kansas state librarian Joanne Budler. “We are excited to transition to the 3M Cloud Library, which supports us in this philosophy and will be a valuable partner as we continue building our digital collection.”

Another way 3M is making digital lending easier for librarians is by eliminating the need for a lengthy multi-year service agreement. 3M’s newly released terms and conditions agreement allows customers to renew their subscription from year to year freely, without committing to a long term contract.

“We feel that if a customer is unsatisfied with our system, they should be free to move to a different platform. Our commitment to customer satisfaction and continuous improvement means we don’t have to lock people into our system – they’ll want to stay,” says Tom Mercer, 3M digital library marketing manager.

Additionally at ALA, the 3M Cloud Library will showcase new publishing agreements. The growing list of collaborating publishers now includes Harlequin Publishing, Berret Koehler, Creative Content Digital, Holiday House, Kensington, McFarland Publishers, Paradigm, University of Mississippi Press, F+W Media, Quayside, Skyhorse, Loyola Press, Gibbs-Smith, Naxos, and Baker Publishing. These new agreements now bring content from more than 40 publishers, providing well over 100,000 titles to the eBook Lending Service.

3M Library Systems will be located at booth 2239 at the ALA Midwinter Meeting. For more information about the 3M Cloud Library, visit 3M.com/cloud.

About 3M Library Systems

3M Library Systems is the only company that develops, designs, and manufactures cutting-edge digital media, circulation management and security solutions. Finding the technology solution that is right for our customers, 3M's promise is to deliver a long term partnership that is built to exceed their expectations. For more information about 3M Library Systems, visit http://www.3m.com/library or follow @3MLibrary on Twitter.

About 3M

3M captures the spark of new ideas and transforms them into thousands of ingenious products. Our culture of creative collaboration inspires a never-ending stream of powerful technologies that make life better. 3M is the innovation company that never stops inventing. With $27 billion in sales, 3M employs about 80,000 people worldwide and has operations in more than 65 countries. For more information, visit www.3M.com or follow @3MNews on Twitter.

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