By LJ Staff

While the fate of the e-book industry remains undecided, Adobe Systems Inc. is pressing forward with the release of Content Server 3.0, which the company describes as an "end-to-end software solution that enables the secure distribution of PDF-based e-books." James Alexander, Adobe's director of e-books, gave LJ an early run down of the system. Like previous incarnations, Content Server 3.0 will reside on the library's web site. Patrons simply find the title they want, click on it, and Adobe's software "will automatically fire up the e-book reader," downloading it and the desired title to the user's PC. Libraries set the loan period, and when the clock runs out, the e-book becomes inaccessible but not deleted from the user's hard drive. If the patron wishes to renew the item, another trip to the library's web site will restore access to the text.

When questioned about copying and printing text, Alexander said, "That will be the determination between the library and the publisher. Our technology enables the patron to copy and paste into a word document or print all or part of a book. I believe there will be new opportunities for libraries to deliver these types of functions, but these business models will be negotiated between the libraries and information providers." He said that librarians could have several options for using e-books: "you might buy an e-book that has print, copy, and pasting turned on and you might pay a little more for that but that has additional value to your patrons." The Content Server will cost $5000 for a singe destination site capable of holding 250 titles, with expansion packages available for $1000 per additional 500 titles. ASP-based pricing is $10,000 for the Content Server linked to one destination site hosting an unlimited number of titles. Libraries can tack on a second site for an extra $1500.