The Zombie Stack Exchanges That Just Won't Die
Answers to the question how ebooks are lent out from a library mentioned some platforms or vendors such as Overdrive and Freading - I also know Onleihe from German public libraries. Is there a comparision of existing systems used by libraries? In addition to supported formats and e-readers, I am also interested in handling of typical patron activities such as checkout, renewal and return, patron accounts, etc.
Jakob
While there may be articles comparing the different services, they would be out of date within a few months of publication, because the game is changing so quickly. The platforms are in a continual state of evolution, and they are competing for customers, so user experience is improving for all, but the pace is affected by blockages from publishers.
In comparisons we have done in the past, we did not find significant differences, but chose based on our ability to join a consortium allowing for some sharing of materials between libraries. This resource sharing is not so helpful for new bestsellers (you end up buying copies that only your patrons can use, otherwise they have to wait too long), but it is great for building a library of older materials, especially books in series, and children's materials.
Things like checkout, renewals, and returns are largely customizable. Generally, all platforms are one-use-at-a-time models, materials stop working after the checkout period expires. Every device has its idiosyncrasies, so staying up-to-date with all the devices and how they currently work with your chosen platform is a serious time commitment for staff.
While pricing structure is similar between the platforms, it is not between publishers - they are all over the place. Some you will avoid because they are cost prohibitive. And whatever platform you choose, consider that you are married to it, because you are only leasing materials. If you end your subscription, that collection goes away and you start over. A nearby library I noticed is now offering two different platforms - twice the work in support for their staff, but it hedges their investment by dividing it between two platforms.
Our library just had demo of 3M's Cloud Library ebook hosting product. They allow libraries to own and move their content (depending on publisher policies) It seemed easy to use and didn't ask for hardly any personal info from patrons. Their pricing was comparable to other ebook lenders. The only down side it does not currently work with older Kindles (only kindle fire)