e-books and Equity in schools

Just back from a trip to Perth to talk to booksellers about e-books and how schools are handling them.

But one bookseller comment that stopped me mid talk, was that they are recommending schools buy both the print book and the matching e-book on the basis of equity - ie: not to disadvantage the kids who did not have a laptop or ipad, or computer access at home.

Obvious once said, but I admit I had not thought about it before, and another key issue for schools to address as they develop their e-book strategies.

Tom Danby
INT BOOKS

Australian Timelines

The new editions of Trocadero's Australian Timelines series are
proving to be a winner with Secondary History Co-Ordinators. These
editions will also be available as e-books with The Governors and
Immigration out in September. We'd love to see them on the 2012
booklists.

Linda Gunn
INT BOOOKS
3 Charles St
Coburg North 3058
03-9354 9926 tel
linda@intbooks.com.au

SCRIBO losses at $25.7 million

The closure of trade distributor, SCRIBO, on 30th June was a shock, and very sad for the 100 people who lost their jobs.

Now hidden in The Age business section ( August 19th ) is the info that SCRIBO lost PMP $25.7 million in 2010/2011.

They blame it on the shift from "bricks and mortar" retail to online book sales.

But in the same issue, Joel Becker - CEO of the Australian Booksellers Association - is arguing that ebook sales are just over 1% of book sales in Australia, or about $15 million if my maths are correct.

So to have caused that big a loss to SCRIBO, itself only a moderate part of the Australian print book supply chain, it means there must be a tidal wave of overseas online PRINT book sales direct to customers. Be very interesting to see some real data on this.

Tom Danby
www.intbooks.com.au

Crazy Relief Teachers

At last we have a book about casual relief teachers.
I'm an expert on this group of "life savers" as I'm married to one!
Watch for Matt Porter's latest series Crazy Relief Teachers to be
released this coming month.
Aimed at middle school kids with a sense of humour!
This series will be a winner and give teachers something to laugh
about.
Linda Gunn
linda@intbooks.com.au

INT BOOKS have started a blog

We have been inspired by the recent Australian Booksellers Association conference.

It was really interesting to hear and see what booksellers are doing to engage and communicate with their customers, and frankly, we realised that we have tons of bits of news and feedback from bookshops and schools that we should be passing on too.

So here is our blog.

Please let us know what you think. Like our web site, it can be changed and items and functions added to make it more useful or easier to use. There is a mobile version too.

Regards,

Tom Danby
www.intbooks.com.au