Gives Libraries Instant Ability to Lend eBooks and Documents in Adobe PDF SAN JOSE, Calif.--Oct. 1, 2002--Adobe Systems Incorporated, the leader in network publishing, today announced the availability of Adobe Content Server 3.0, the digital publishing system to manage, distribute and protect Adobe Portable Document Format-based (PDF) eBooks and digital content. By offering eBooks through Adobe Content Server 3.0, libraries can increase title circulation without raising administrative costs. Content providers and businesses can also use Content Server 3.0 to offer digital subscriptions of Adobe PDF content to consumers or employees. To kick-start library eBook collections, the Adobe PDF eBook Library Starter Pack is available at no charge with the purchase of a hosted eBook service -- powered by Adobe Content Server 3.0 -- from leading solution providers Baker & Taylor and OverDrive. Through the Starter Pack, libraries can immediately offer patrons up to 100 titles from publishers, such as: HarperCollins; Kluwer Academic; Rough Guides; Routledge; University of California Press; ipicturebooks; RosettaBooks; Stonehouse Press; DSI; and ComicsOne. Publishers represented on the Adobe PDF eBook Library Starter Pack will vary between solution providers. "Libraries are vibrant centers for knowledge and information, and eBooks provide a way for librarians to serve the needs of their communities with Adobe's cutting-edge technology," said Susan Gibbons, digital initiatives librarian, University of Rochester. "We are excited about Adobe's efforts to bring together a solution that meets the needs of publishers, libraries and, most importantly, library patrons who want the convenience and enhanced reading experience provided by eBooks." Adobe Content Server 3.0 helps libraries simplify content management for eBooks and other digital material. Patrons can check out digital titles that are automatically downloaded onto their PC or laptop for reading. Users do not need to be connected online to read the downloaded content with the Acrobat eBook Reader and when the lending period for a title expires, the patron no longer has access to the eBook. The title then becomes instantly available to others. "eBooks help us broaden our inventory beyond print, and are a great way for us to add to our services," said Jane Light, library director, San Jose public library system. "With Adobe Content Server 3.0, we can offer our patrons around-the-clock access to information and materials with the freedom to borrow eBooks at any time from anywhere." Pricing and Availability Adobe Content Server 3.0 is available through leading library solutions providers Baker & Taylor (www.btol.com) and OverDrive (www.overdrive.com) who provide the complete integration services required to deliver a robust digital content management system. These solution providers also offer hosted versions of Adobe Content Server 3.0, with pricing details available from each company. The Adobe PDF eBook Library Starter Packs are only available through Baker & Taylor and OverDrive. Titles in each Starter Pack expire on Sept. 1, 2003. Adobe Content Server 3.0 can also be licensed directly from the Adobe store at www.adobe.com/store. The Standard Edition consists of a one-time fee of US$5,000 for one Adobe Content Server destination site capable of hosting 250 titles. Expansion packages are US$1,000 per additional 500 titles. The ASP Edition costs US$10,000 for the Adobe Content Server linked to one destination site, hosting an unlimited number of titles. Additional destination sites for Adobe Content Server 3.0 are US$1,500 each. The Adobe PDF Library Starter Packs are not available directly through Adobe. Pricing information for upgrades to Adobe Content Server 3.0 from previous versions is available at www.adobe.com/products/contentserver.