Introduction
About the platform
The COBISS Ela platform enables the complete e-book journey from publisher to reader and includes:
- the COBISS Ela app;
- functionalities within the COBISS Lib software;
- the COBISS Ela portal;
- the COBISS Plus web application;
- the Readium license and status server;
- the COBISS Ela reading app.
The mutual rights and obligations between IZUM, libraries, publishers and the coordinator regarding the operation of the COBISS Ela platform are regulated by the general terms and conditions. Stakeholders express their agreement with these terms by signing an accession statement, which is coordinated by Miran Jarc Library, Novo mesto (contact person: Urša Likar Luzar).
The COBIS Ela application makes it possible to publishers to add or upload ePUB files for individual e-books and to enter other required data. For each e-book, the publisher sets the number of loan points, which represents the value of an individual loan. The publisher also defines the license validity for each e-book, determining its availability to libraries and their users. In accordance with the license terms, availability can be restricted regarding the maximum number of loans. For each e-book, the publisher can add or edit the cover and description and define one or more genres.
Publishers can add files and data for individual e-books; it is possible to add/upload data for several e-books at the same time.
The COBISS Ela application enables publishers to view their added/uploaded e-books in an e-book list and track e-book borrowing by title and by library.
To obtain a username for the COBISS Ela application, publishers should contact the coordinator.
In COBISS Lib, libraries can offer e-books of the COBISS Ela provider. From the list of e-books added by publishers in COBISS Ela, they select the ones they wish to offer to their members. They can either add all e-books not yet in their catalogue or they can select titles individually. An overview of all e-books provided by COBISS Ela is also available. To add e-books, they can set up several profiles, where they define the number of simultaneous loans and the value available for lending each individual e-book. Libraries also determine the total value allocated for e-book lending and adjust it according to needs or possibilities. They can set up notifications when threshold values are reached, either for the total lending value or for the lending value of an individual e-book.
Libraries wishing to offer e-books provided by COBISS Ela to their members should contact the coordinator.
Members use the COBISS Plus web application to borrow material from the COBISS Ela provider. To be able to borrow from COBISS Ela, the member must have a valid public library membership and no outstanding debts or restrictions that have an impact upon e-book lending. A member can borrow up to 5 e-books at a time, which can be read on up to two devices simultaneously. The loan period is 21 days but an e-book can be returned early once 24 hours have passed since it was borrowed. To read e-books, members must install the appropriate software. Before borrowing an e-book provided by COBISS Ela, members must authenticate using their My Library login data. Before reading an e-book for the first time, the My Library password must be entered.
The Readium license and status server enables protection of ePUB files for e-books.
The COBISS Ela reading app (for Android and iOS devices) opens e-books with Readium LCP protection as well as open-access e-books in the ePUB format.
The app is linked to the COBISS Ela book catalogue and the COBISS Plus application. E-books borrowed in the COBISS Plus app can be downloaded directly into the COBISS Ela reading app.
COBISS Ela is a registered trademark owned by IZUM.