PW: NetLibrary to Offer Glassbook Editions

In another move toward positioning itself as an all-format e-book distributor, netLibrary announced an agreement with Glassbook Inc., an e-book platform developer, to add Glassbook's PDF-edition e-books to its format offerings.

Rob Kaufman, netLibrary CEO, said the move marks the firm's continuing strategy "to build a growing collection of e-books and distribute them to institutions and online retailers in the format their patrons and customers desire." Glassbook president Len Kawell said the agreement "will greatly expand the universe of e-books available to users of Glassbook Readers."

NetLibrary will offer the Glassbook software, a PDF reader that was developed through Glassbook's long alliance with Adobe, the company that originally developed the PDF format. The agreement marks netLibrary's continuing move away from selling online titles to a role as a wholesaler of e-books to online retailers. (News, Apr. 24). The new focus complements the company's ongoing efforts as digital collection manager for the library market. The company now offers its library customers online access to content as well as downloadable e-books in virtually every available format.