Librius Introduces Electronic Publishing System

Posted on June 23, 1998

Librius Inc. announced the Librius World Library, a new service for publishers and authors of trade and mass market books. The service makes it possible for publishers and authors to deliver copies of their works directly to buyers in digital format via the Internet. Later this year Librius will introduce an electronic book, about the same size as a paperback, that can store up to 10 titles at one time. Consumers will be able to download titles via a personal computer Internet connection or through dedicated terminals at their local bookseller. The company is currently working with publishers and authors in a pilot program prior to consumer rollout of its electronic reader.

"With the Librius system, copies of books are never stored in any form on the user's PC, where copyright security can be compromised," explained Don Ledford, chief technologist at Librius. "The books are stored either in our archive or in the reader -- always in a securely encrypted form."

The Librius "Millennium" reader device weighs about as much as a paperback book. The back-lit LCD screen displays a full page of text or graphics. Any language can be stored and displayed in user variable font sizes. Reader batteries, which can operate for up to 18 hours before re-charging, can be supplemented by external AC power or by AAA batteries if a charger is unavailable.