Jill Lambert Team Leader and Head of Public Services Library & Information Services Aston University

E-books E-book readers Benefits and problems of e-book use Issues and challenges of e-book development JISC developments

E-book readers Use a dedicated e-book reader eg Gemstar Use a Pocket PC or PDA eg Palm Use a desktop or laptop PC (JISC definition - online version of printed books, accessed via the Internet)

Benefits for libraries Saving on space Cannot be lost, damaged or stolen Less clerical administration –no processing –no overdues –no reservation queues No shelving

Benefits for users Convenience – instant access from the desktop Integration with other electronic resources Improved searching facilities Aid for additional needs eg enlarge font, pages turned, use screen reading or magnification software Different mode of reading

Problems Need a reading device Not as accessible or reliable as print High costs of titles VAT is payable Proprietary formats Users dislike reading extensive text on screen

Issues in e-book development Design - EBONI guidelines Content Publishing economics Pricing models Controlling access to content

EBONI Electronic Books ON-screen Interface Project Two principal factors affecting design - appearance of information on-screen - “look and feel” of e-book hardware Easy to get “lost” or “stray” with ebooks

EBONI guidelines Table of contents and index as well as a search engine Clear headings and a lot of white space Text in small chunks Hypertext links to improve navigation and cross referencing Book marking, highlighting and annotating features

Content Lack of availability in electronic format Dominated by US market Few textbooks available electronically Currency – problem of older editions of textbooks Books not designed to be read on screen

Publishing economics Libraries fear instability Publishers fear - loss income from multiple copy purchasing - e-books will replace individual purchasing Aggregators may have to pay costs of conversion

Pricing models Annual subscription with site licence eg CRC Press “Purchase” plus annual access fee eg NetLibrary Annual subscription based on number of titles eg Safari Three year subscription to collection eg new JISC e-books offer Free titles eg PubMed

Controlling access to content Pay by use (for individuals) One book, one reader model (NetLibrary) Multi-user, simultaneous access model, eg ebrary, Wiley Multi-user, limit on simultaneous access eg Taylor and Francis “Slot system” eg Safari

Challenges Identifying titles Selection Delivery

Identification Lack of bibliographical control Contacts in other institutions Promotional information from publishers and aggregators Attending exhibitions Web sites listing e-books

Selection Need support from academics Receptive clientele Meet publishers’ criteria - minimum number of titles - appropriate subject collections Consider free titles

Delivery Cataloguing Publicity - on a continuing basis On-going maintenance of collection Monitoring technical access

JISC initiatives E-books Working Group Electronic book collections JISC studies

JISC electronic book collections Wiley InterScience Online Books –11 collections –290 titles from 4 disciplines –three year deal with unlimited concurrent use –PDF format –ATHENS

JISC Studies E-books - attitudes and needs Electronic textbooks Free e-books Promoting uptake of electronic books