About GalaxyLibrary™

ION Systems, is an innovator in on-screen reading technology and electronic publishing since 1992. The GalaxyLibrary™ system provides distribution services for books in all forms: electronic (all formats), traditional print, single or short run print-on-demand, customizable large font print-on-demand, Braille and handheld devices.

Galaxy Library Features – 

• automated eContent conversion tools (virtually any format in/any format out)

• industry-leading, ADA-compliant on-screen display - with "free read" feature for bookstore-style browsing of titles

• secure online distribution in all popular formats - ION eMonocle™, Microsoft LIT, Adobe PDF, Palm Pilot, Franklin, and more

• print-on-demand (POD) - including custom font large size editions - for single or short run production

• print + eContent distribution: traditional printed book warehouse shipping with free preview read online eContent access for 7-day shipping period

• publisher-controlled eContent production, display, format and distribution options

• complete sales reporting, royalty payment distribution and publisher-dictated subscription and promotional offers

• (coming soon) full indexing of all content - for access from all major portals

• publisher manages all aspects of book publication process, including real-time access to detailed reports, instantaneous metadata changes

Conversion Process – "Any format in/any format out" sounds too good to be true, but with GalaxyLibrary™’s suite of proprietary conversion tools and integrated backend database management system it IS true! Publishers and content owners can post files in any popular electronic format: OeB, Microsoft Word, ION, RTF, ASCII Text, HTML, QuarkXpress and PDF.

• For minimally formatted linear content, preparation of text files involves a simple "ION markup" edit with the placement of single character text commands to indicate chapter beginning and end, alternate font styles (italic, bold, etc.) and graphics placement.

• Automated conversion of PDF and other formats for as little as $35 per title

• ION marked up text files are uploaded and can be instantly converted to OeB (Open eBook), MS Reader (lit), ION eMonocle, Franklin, Palm Pilot, Pocket PC, EPOC 32, Smart Phone and Windows CE format for storage in the fully cross-indexed GalaxyLibrary™ database

Digital Rights Management – Increased Internet broadband width brings with it the capacity to obtain and exchange digital content (from text to music to video clips) easily and quickly. Digital Rights Management refers to the ability to protect that content from unauthorized use once it is outside the control of the publisher or distributor. Additionally, tracking usage information has become an important part of the content distribution process. To protect the copyright assets of publishers and authors, GalaxyLibrary™ provides the publisher with choices for DRM . The highest level of security is provided through the use of IBM's  Electronic Media Management System (EMMS) as a security architecture behind GalaxyLibrary. Other choices for DRM are PDF Merchant and Microsoft Reader to MobiPocket.

Print-on-Demand – Currently GalaxyLibrary™ offers two solutions: work directly with your POD vendor or work directly with GalaxyLibrary™ preferered vendor. In the near future GalaxyLibrary™ will also offer an "automated" POD option for both normal font size content as well as automated reflow into a large print POD with the font size selected by the customer.

Digital Posting – Logging in directly to the GalaxyLibrary™ administrative website, publishers and authors can easily convert, distribute and sell from the comfort and convenience of their own desktop computer. The secure system gives complete control of product inventory and on-screen presentable instant sales reports and other advanced features and tools.

Pricing – There is no charge to publish content. Publishers determine wholesale prices of content per format. Conversion charges range from10¢ to 35¢. Retailers have a nominal one time set up fee. Branded Private Libraries have a one time set up fee, monthly access and may have nominal surcharge on content distributed. Branded Public Libraries have a nominal one-time setup fee and a monthly access fee.

Readers – GalaxyLibrary™ embraces all Readers formats- whether they are for desktop computer, dedicated reading device, PDA’s, or phones. The current list of supported formats follows:

Accessibility – Galaxy Library readership is not limited to traditional sighted readers. ION Systems developed software solutions that ensure universal access to all digital content. For low-vision readers, ION’s reader interface technology allows the user to increase text size up to 144 points, and menu items up to 36 points, as well as making forms and graphics viewable. For dyslexic and scotopically-sensitive readers, ION’s technology allows the user to change the color or contrast of background settings – thus making printed material readable. For blind readers, GalaxyLibrary™ partnered with Duxbury Systems, Inc., the world leader in Braille translation, transcription and production software, to provide a state-of-the-art Braille reading experience.

Distribution Digital Content – Secure eContent distribution is achieved by streaming directly from the GalaxyLibrary server, or in conjunction with a Digital Rights Management system that allows downloading to the desktop. Content owners determine the most appropriate channel for delivering content through the digital medium. Print content and print items can be shipped from an authorized publisher’s warehouse or from ION’s warehouse.

FAQ –

1. In what formats can publishers post their content?

   GalaxyLibrary.com™ offers "virtually any format in and any format out". Publishers can submit pre-formatted content for every reader type or take advantage of GalaxyLibrary’s™ automatic conversion capabilitites. The following chart summarizes current conversions options:

    

   INPUT FILE	OUTPUT FILE
   ION (best for content that is linear, with minimual formatting, some graphics and links.) (ASCII Text/Word with ION markup.)	ION online, eMonocle, MS Reader, Palm Pilot, Franklin e Bookman, Window CE, Pocket PC, OeB, Smartphone, EPOC 32, Braille
   PDF ($35 charge-best for minimally formatted PDF)	eMonocle, MS Reader, Palm Pilot, Franklin e Bookman, Window CE, Pocket PC, Smartphone, EPOC 32, Braille, OeB

    

2. Can I change the promotional information of my content?

   Absolutely! The content owner completely controls all aspects of the selling process. 24x7 changes are made via the web site. Up to the minute changes are reflected immediately to the next user.

3. Can I change the content?

   GalaxyLibrary.com™ provides publishers with direct access and control over every aspect of their content, including the version, price, format, retail markup, metadata, promotional data, graphics, and the direct URL for marketing purposes.

4. How does the user’s online purchase experience compare to that in a bricks-and-mortar bookstore?

   GalaxyLibrary.com™ is the only e-bookstore that allows users (MAC, Windows and Unix) to read/search the entire contents for a publisher specified time period before making the purchase decision.

5. Does GalaxyLibrary.com™ have any rights over the content?

   Publishers maintain full rights at all times over all aspects of the content.

6. Can I sell my electronic books off my website with GalaxyLibrary.com™ doing the electronic fulfillment?

   Sell your electronic content off your branded website with GalaxyLibrary.com™ providing the entire infrastructure seamlessly. For a minimal setup fee, and in about one day, you can be selling yours and others books with the entire fulfillment/customer support being handled by GalaxyLibrary.com™ and earn 90% of the e-retailer’s profit!

7. What is the average revenue that Publishers earn?

   You net 45.5% of the retail price. If you are also the e-retailer, you net 67% of the retail price. If you sell someone else’s content, your net is 21% of the retail price.

8. Does it cost to put books on GalaxyLibrary.com™?

   No, not if the content is marked up using the ION markup format! (This is a simple markup procedure.  Using a text file of the document, add 3 characters; one for the title, the second for the chapter and the third for a graphic.)

9. What is the retail markup on the digital content?

   The default markup is 42.8% of the wholesale price.
   

10. Does GalaxyLibrary.com™ support ADA and section 508 compliance issues?

    ION Systems™ is the leader in providing ADA-compliant reading software. From the very beginning, ION’s vision has been to make digital content accessible and usable by all users: sighted, low-vision, dyslexic, scotopic, or blind. ION’s patented viewer technology enables the digital content to exceed the ADA’s and Section 508 guidelines for low-vision users. You select the font size most comfortable for your reading experience, from 4 points to 144 points!

(c) 1992-2002 by ION Systems, Inc.
All rights reserved. All logos, words and styles are registered trademarks of ION Systems, Inc. No part of this site may be copied or transmitted without the express permission of ION Systems, Inc.
Privacy Policy