Smashwords gets more self-published ebooks into libraries | paidContent

http://paidcontent.org/2012/08/10/smashwords-gets-more-self-published-ebooks-into-libraries/

Digital self-publishing site Smashwords has launched a new service, Library Direct, that lets some libraries acquire large collections of Smashwords ebooks.
To start, the three library systems using the program are Colorado’s Douglas County libraries, California-based library network Califa and Internet Archive’s free online library Open Library. In order to work with Library Direct, the libraries have to operate their own ebook lending systems. (Smashwords works separately with digital library distributors Baker & Taylor and 3M Cloud.)
On its blog, Smashwords explains how Library Direct works:
Previously, most libraries relied upon published reviews to guide their acquisition decisions. Under the Smashwords model, the curation is crowdsourced based on aggregated retail sales data drawn from across the Smashwords distribution network which includes the Apple iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Sony, Kobo, the Diesel eBookstore and others.
Qualifying libraries can select from the top 10,000, 20,000 or any other large number of titles, and can custom-filter the titles by category and price range.