Frank McPherson was kind enough to send me a link to the new KnowBetter.com Ebook Lending Library.

"Since we began serving the ebook commuity in 1999, we've listened to thousands of e-readers and would-be e-readers share their complaints about what's wrong with the current state of the industry. The #1 complaint we've received is that ebook content is too expensive....

We've created the KnowBetter eBook Lending Library to help overcome the high cost of content. We're calling it our "Grand Experiment" because we're putting our money where ebook readers' mouths are. We're bypassing the chicken-and-egg dilemma by taking the plunge and buying a full collection of ebooks that you can borrow and read on your computer or PDA. Currently, we've got over 1,100 titles and will continue to add to that number.

The KnowBetter Lending Library is a first-of-its-kind service that allows you to check out ebooks, much as you would from a regular library. The only difference is you don't have to return the ebook. It's checked back in automatically (i.e., no overdue fines)....

Our service isn't tied to a particular ebook device or platform. Instead, it uses the free Mobipocket ebook reader software which can run on your desktop, laptop, Palm, Pocket PC, or other PDA (Read more about Mobipocket)....

Right now, for just $19.95, you can borrow and read our ebooks for an entire year! So, for less than the typical cost of a single new hardcover book, you can have full access to our ever-expanding collection of titles... 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Depending on how much you read, our library could save you hundreds of dollars each year. Even if you only read a couple of books a year, our library can still save you money.

Try out the service free to see if you like it. Then, when you're ready, pay your dues (we all gotta' do it sometime) of just $19.95 for an entire year and get access to our full collection."

I have a lot of questions about how this service works (circulation and expiration for starters), but my mind is still fuzzy from the lingering cold and accompanying medication. In fact, I think I'm going back to sleep again. See you tomorrow (I hope).

Library-usability.org is a great idea, but I wish it had an RSS feed in order to make it more usable in my news aggregator.  ;-)

"library-usability.org is dedicated to the idea that libraries are critical to our communities. But to help people meet their needs, libraries must be usable in every facet of their service. Usability is about more than just software. It's about helping people accomplish their goals, and library usability asks: what can we do to help people in the way we operate, in the way we publish, in the way we deliver service, and in the way we use technology? " [via Library Stuff]

Powerful acceleration of this technology in the last year... A Hitachi chip small enough to place into paper money. Sub-ten cent chips, sub-$100 scanners. Transmission ranges up to 20 feet. MIT's Auto-ID center is busily building out a Local Positioning System (LPS) for everything.