E-commerce is becoming ubiquitous but what does it mean for libraries? Some would argue that in strict terms, libraries have been involved in e-commerce for years with the marketing of services and resources through web pages. Others would argue that libraries are just beginning to enter the world of e-commerce with forays into offering ways for library users to pay fines or buy copies of photographs or other items online. Learn about the different ways e-commerce can be interpreted and how libraries are implementing e-commerce initiatives.
Another side of e-commerce in libraries is the companies delivering products and services to libraries. Delivering materials to libraries using e-commerce methods has some benefits and some drawbacks to previous methods. An additional feature to be considered is the increased use of credit cards which speed the process. On the other hand the need to work with consortia and hierarchical or group buying of other sorts brings new complexity. MediaSleuth enables the purchase of non print educational media and the accompanying MARC cataloging over the web. Learn about the design considerations to enable electronic selection, purchase and delivery of these materials using the internet that one such company uses.
