netLibrary to include print-on-demand services and an embedded dictionary

netLibrary, Inc. has announced the addition of print on demand (POD) and an embedded dictionary to the services it offers publishers and retailers. In cooperation with industry leaders, netLibrary is developing both distributed and enterprise e-book POD offerings. netLibrary develops and distributes

According to the company, netLibrary's POD offering benefits publishers by opening new sales channels, and it helps booksellers and institutions offer their customers and constituents an expanded selection of books without adding inventory. netLibrary is working with publishers to obtain permission to fulfill POD orders with e-book files.

"With this entry into the print-on-demand market, netLibrary is demonstrating its ability to securely distribute e-books through diverse channels to a wide variety of platforms," said netLibrary president and CEO Rob Kaufman. "POD helps us broaden publishers' revenue opportunities while increasing efficiencies for those with a necessity for smaller print runs." [See the Paula J. Hane interview with Kaufman on page 1 of IT's June issue.]

netLibrary and Xerox Corp. (http:// www.xerox.com) plan to co-develop a distributed, on-demand book printing and binding system involving in-store kiosks. netLibrary will convert, store, and securely distribute e-books via the Internet to an integrated configuration of Xerox printers located in retail outlets. The Xerox system will include automated "print-only-whenauthorized" controls and detailed transaction reporting.

"Local book production at the point of demand is the next logical step for on-demand books," said Pete Perine, vice president and general manager of publishing services for Xerox's Graphic Arts Business Unit. "netLibrary's extensive and growing collection of Internet-based e-books makes an excellent fit with Xerox's distributed print-on-demand technologies."

In addition to its initiative with Xerox, netLibrary has signed letters of intent to provide POD book files through Sprout, Inc. and Bookmobile. Sprout, a digital book wholesaler in Atlanta (http://www. sproutinfo.com), has developed an innovative logistical solution for in-store printon-demand that is scalable to feed enterprise solutions. Bookmobile (http://www. bookmobile.com), a division of Stanton Publication Services, Inc., is a digital book printer that currently produces thousands of quality short-run books each month.

netLibrary's print-on-demand network will allow independent bookstores to enhance their book inventory by accessing a POD-ready e-book repository to be provided by netLibrary online via in-store kiosks and regional short-run printers. Avin Domnitz, executive director of the American Booksellers Association, said, "We applaud netLibrary's concentration on independent bookstores and its open network that allows independents diverse opportunities to serve their customers."

netLibrary also announced that starting September 14 it will offer access to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, fourth edition, published by Houghton Mifflin Co. The American Heritage Dictionary will be embedded in all netLibrary e-books, including textbooks and titles designated for sale to netLibrary's academic, corporate, K-12, and special library customers. netLibrary will also offer access to The American Heritage Student Dictionary and The American Heritage Children's Dictionary.

"By embedding this pre-eminent reference on American usage of the English language in our e-books, we are adding a multidimensional component to our publishers' titles," said netLibrary chief operating officer Nancy Talmey. "By offering versions of The American Heritage Dictionary designed for children, students, and adults, we are able to offer level-appropriate reference resources to readers in all of our markets."

To find terms from the electronic dictionary, users simply highlight a word in the e-book. A definition from the American Heritage Dictionary will appear instantly by way of Houghton Mifflin Co.'s lookup technology. This word-search technology enables users to quickly search for word definitions, word histories, and guidance on usage. Electronic dictionary entries can be searched, browsed, and used as a spell-checking tool.

Houghton Mifflin Co. 's editors have selected more than 4,000 photos, drawings, maps, and other graphic elements to illustrate the print version of the dictionary. netLibrary will provide 900 of these images in digital form, and users can enlarge the images on their computer screens according to their needs. The embedded dictionary also will feature 70,000 audio pronunciation files.

Source: netLibrary, Inc., Boulder, CO, 303/415-2548; http://www.netlibrary.com.