Founder Apabi Demo for Califa Library Members
San Francisco Public Library Collection Development Office
April 17, 2008
Present:
Jiao Han
Oakland Public Library
Tony Wong
San Jose Public Library
Stacie Deng
Contra Costa County Library
Yu Tao
Pleasanton Public Library
Trent Garcia
San Francisco Public Library
Joy Tsou
Alameda County Library
Jewel Chen
San Francisco Public Library
Sherry Wang
San Francisco Public Library
Amy Kuo
Berkeley Public Library
Hui-Lan Titangos
Santa Cruz Public Library
Doris Tseng
San Francisco Public Library
Roberto Esteves
Califa
Susan Kantor-Horning
Califa (Minutes)
Wang Tong
China International Book Trading Corporation
Scarlet He
Apabi Founder (Presenter)
Joe Li
Apabi Founder
Minutes
Background:
Apabi started as a vendor of Chinese eBooks 7 years ago, first paying a visit to Califa 2 years ago. An agreement with Califa was not signed at that time. You can view Doris Tseng’s notes from the 2006 visit on the Califa Web site under Clearinghouse>ProductReviews>Apabi Chinese e-books Demo.
The Founder Group is from Beijing University. The two entities became Founder Apabi Technology Limited.
Wang Xuan, a professor known for developing the technology for digital publishing is involved with the company and Apabi can rapidly convert text into the eBook format. Apabi provided only 50,000 eBooks 4 years ago. Today, they have more than 400,000 eBooks.
About the Collection
All of their titles are from Chinese publishers. More than 70% of the titles in the collection are from 2004 forward. The books are full-text and have the original layout, so they look like a copy of the print version.
The eBooks can be downloaded on the Philips device which uses an electronic paper display from iRex Technologies. The device has a large screen and costs about $1,000.
Apabi will provide only brief MARC records for free (author, title, etc.) Any record that is more detailed will incur a charge.
The Apabi Reader is necessary for reading the eBooks, so this application will need to be downloaded onto public computers for the library to offer in-house access. Input typing in both traditional and simplified. Searching cannot be done in Pinyin, only Chinese characters.
East View is Apabi’s agent for their eBooks and art database. They are partners with 24 Reader.
Other Information about Apabi Founder eBook Collections
Provide detailed statistics; including turn away statistics
Works with Web Authentication Software, e.g., EZ Proxy
Allows shared eBook collections - can provide one billing for multiple libraries - tiered discounts depending on the number of libraries. Pricing based on titles.
Libraries can either have separate Web sites or be on a central platform together
Content is purchased, libraries own the content forever
No limitations set on viewing, one checkout per person.
Provide Web-based collection development tool
Technical Support - Library patron can contact Apabi directly or staff can contact Joe Li
Copying is only allowed for 7 pages. Copying restricted to 50x/per week.
Mac Compatible
Restrictions on the number of check outs, items downloaded, etc., are all determined by the libraries.
About Referrals:
Queens Public Library has been purchasing and using Apabi eBooks for 3 years.
Yuan-shang Constance Hsi
Coordinator, Catalog Division
Queens Library
718-990-0730 yuan.shang.hsi@queenslibrary.org
Other Apabi Founder Online Products
Sold as separate databases, these products can be integrated into one platform using a centralized search engine for cross searching capability.
Yearbook Database - Consists of 1000 titles and 60,000 volumes, all full-text and original. This material is geared to the researcher.
Chinese Art Museum Database - Consists of 26 subsets and includes 35,000 pieces: Calligraphic graphic works, Folk custom work, Red China (Revolution of China – 1930-1980; 12,000 pieces), Ancient Design – furniture, cosmetics, bowls, etc., China 100 years – 1880-1980 (cover pages of books), Chinese characters, and Tibetan art.
Newspaper Database - Mostly current newspapers from August 2007 forward. Content is from Communist Party and popular titles. They do not have newspapers from Hong Kong and Taiwan. The material contains the full-text and original layout of the newspaper. Apabi does not have plans to offer the back files.
Trial and Survey Information
The Apabi trial has been extended until Friday, May 30. The survey closed on June 6. The results are available via downloadable spreadsheet.
Depending on feedback, Califa will consider pursuing negotiations with this Apabi Founder.
