Chapter 3. Setting the Stage for the First Free Reading Zone

Authors

  • Mirela Roncevic

Abstract

Chapter 3 of Library Technology Reports (vol. 53, no. 7), “Free Reading Zones: Transforming Access to Books through Technology”

Chapter 3 of this issue of Library Technology Reports (vol. 53, no. 7), “Free Reading Zones: Transforming Access to Books through Technology,” explores how a small private business could be turned into an impressive virtual library through the use of technology—the kind of library that allows users to have access to knowledge in ways they couldn’t fathom in the past. Roncevic explains how she launched her first Free Reading Zone (FREZ) in a small European café in September of 2016 and gives an overview of how she planned to launch a FREZ for the whole country of Croatia. The chapter describes why the country of Croatia was chosen for the first FREZ, the technology and app behind the virtual library, and the marketing and launch of the initiative.


Author Biography

Mirela Roncevic

Mirela Roncevic is a professional editor, writer, content developer, and consultant to publishers, libraries, and library vendors. She has written, edited, and spearheaded the publication of a wide range of books, book series, articles, journals, portals, and digital resources. In 2016, Mirela founded the Free Reading Zones (FREZ) project, which brings developers, publishers, libraries, and sponsors together to turn public and private spaces into open virtual libraries, where people have access to books and other content in digital format. She also teaches classes on e-books through the American Library Association, hosts webinars and workshops on e-books and digital publishing, moderates panels at library conferences and book fairs, and speaks internationally on e-books and e-content.

She currently serves as Director of No Shelf Required, a portal on e-books and digital content and an organization helping libraries implement FREZ. She was previously Director of Content for Total Boox, Managing Editor of Salem Press’s “Critical Insights” series, and Senior Book Review Editor at Library Journal.

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Published

2017-10-05

Issue

Vol. 53 No. 7 (2017): October

Section

Chapters