Have e-books turned the page? Wendy Abbott & Kate Kelly Sooner or later! Have e-books turned the page? Wendy Abbott & Kate Kelly Style created by: Lisa Barker and Kate Kelly

E-book prejudices “to the world of processed food and processed hair we now add the processed book” (Esposito, 2003) “not some fanciful format that publishers hope will catch on among thrill-seeking librarians” (Golderman & Connolly, 2004) “the 1980s will see the book … begin a steady slide into oblivion” (Evans, 1979)

Overview What exactly is an e-book? Diversity of models under the e-book banner Case study of E-books at Bond University E-book implications for libraries More research needed

What exactly is an e-book? E-books are monographs Similar to printed books but… Created and distributed in an electronic format Reader must have direct access to the digital medium (Mattison, 2002) Either delivered and read online Or downloaded to a hand-held device Plus some unique features

The evolutionary record for e-books Proliferation of commercial models Variety of technology applications E-books on hand-held devices E-books online Subject content diversity broad-based to discipline specific Transforming from e-book into e-something else

Bond University Case Study Background Private, non-profit university Approximately 2,700 students on campus (50/50 domestic and international students) 6 academic units (Business, Health Sciences and Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, IT, Law & Learning Communities)

Bond University Library Challenges in meeting information needs of a small, diverse and dynamic university environment Provide depth & breadth for disciplinary areas taught Respond quickly to changes Assure value for money

Bond University Library continued… Library is well resourced – per EFTSU allocation well above the national average IT environment favours electronic information delivery

P-books for IT students Library surveys indicated low usage of IT print books (up to 30% never borrowed) Limited shelf life for IT books Constant need to update the collection in a fast moving discipline Reasonable uptake of electronic journals (ACM Digital Library, Ebsco’s Computer Source)

E-books for IT students Lecturer prescribing e-book subscriptions for students instead of textbooks Safari Books in 2002 & Books 24x7 in 2003 Library trialled both Books 24x7 and Safari Books … Subscription to Safari Books commenced in mid-2003 (eventually!)

What students liked about e-books Good search functions and navigation Ability to cut and paste Extensive range of books well organised material & up-to-date examples Paper saving Convenient (don’t have to carry heavy books) Cheap

What students didn’t like about e-books Difficulties reading from screen (tiring reading online) Need a computer and internet access Inability to take “normal” notes and highlight text

More feedback from students Still want p-books! Need practice to learn how to study online

Why prescribe e-textbooks? Ensure students had online access to academically rigorous, up to date, body of information Ensure students had access to more than one textbook Could easily link e-textbook material into lecture program to reinforce learning

What the Lecturer found… Student achievement not disadvantaged Fewer “cries for help” as students had easy access to a large no. of examples E-book service encouraged students to copy with appropriate acknowledgement Processes for arranging subscriptions was convoluted

Library issues Plethora of issues to resolve when negotiating licenses for e-book services With Safari Books – possibility to modify selections Issues about how to integrate with existing Library resources

More research needed Issues about e-book technology Reading online Studying online Effects on student achievement Questions about how best to integrate e- books into the learning environment

The Bond case study shows E-books are “carefully conceived niche products with great potential to help librarians meet their users’ needs” (Golderman & Connolly, 2004) Students welcome the additional features and web accessibility Lecturer values quality content Library appreciates greater flexibility

In Conclusion By working in partnership with the academic community and continuing research into the usage, applications and perceptions of e-books amongst user groups, the Library can add value to learning environments.