Promoting the uptake of e-books in UK further and higher education Linda Bennett

Promoting uptake of e-books: Objectives To ensure that e-books are taken up and exploited as fully and as soon as possible in HE and FE To define the role of all stakeholders in ensuring that e-books can be readily discovered and accessed To recommend means by which e-books can be promoted effectively across HE and FE sectors

Promoting uptake of e-books: Focus / Output The focus is on short term, practical measures Output will be a formal written report and a practical guide Case studies will be included Longer term issues may also be considered

Promoting uptake of e-books: terms of reference (1) To assess the demand for e-books within the sector and at institutional level Industry overview, looking at specific types of service Broad perceptions of the “e-book experience” Assessment of current demand in UK HE and FE, including factors impacting on demand and use Review of current barriers: technological, legal, economic, organisational, cultural

Promoting uptake of e-books: terms of reference (2) An assessment of e-book distribution Review of existing barriers within the supply chain that influence purchasing and acquisition, including search / discovery mechanisms and metadata issues Summary and evaluation of the mechanisms by which users may discover and make use of e-books – e.g., OPACs, MLEs, publisher web sites. Identification of examples of good practice / recommendations for new approaches

Promoting uptake of e-books: terms of reference (3) Promotion of e-books within the sector Assessment of the promotional strategies of publishers, booksellers and other intermediaries – e.g., content aggregators. An analysis of approaches to e-book promotion within institutions / groups – e.g., library consortia Appraisal of current promotional or awareness- raising programmes of key professionals in sector Examples of best practice for all of above

Promoting uptake of e-books: terms of reference (3) Promotion of e-books within the sector (cont.) Production of a promotions plan at a national and sectoral level, with suggested models for individual institutions to adopt – Practical Guide Recommended roles for all key stakeholders - publishers, booksellers, librarians and academics – for the effective marketing of electronic books within the academic community – Formal Report

Promoting uptake of e-books How Gold Leaf will address the project

Promoting uptake of e-books: the project team Project Leader Project Adviser Librarian Adviser Panel Leaders Linda Bennett Professor David Smith Dr. Monica Landoni Andrew Weinstein Michael Holdsworth Brian Green Huw Morris

Promoting uptake of e-books: Panel Topics Panel A. E-book technology and applications – led by Andrew Weinstein Panel B. Publishing, marketing and distribution of e-books and related issues – led by Michael Holdsworth Panel C. Supply chain, metadata and related issues – led by Brian Green Panel D. E-books from a teaching and learning perspective: current views & future requirements – led by Huw Morris

Promoting uptake of e-books: sources of information Literature search Unpublished primary research Two student projects Conferences Primary research – librarians in HE / FE sectors Templeton College input Feedback

Promoting uptake of e-books: help requested (1) Contact name(s) and contact details of people in your organisations able / willing to help Contact name(s) and contact details of people in related organisations (aggregators, etc.) Any company specific information you have – research, statistics, overall strategic approach Details of any customer feedback you may have collected

Promoting uptake of e-books: help requested (2) Details of your existing or intended approaches to marketing of e-books, with specimen materials if possible Access to websites if password required Some sample HE / FE e-book material Details of software / hardware issues / experiences you have recorded / of which you are aware

Promoting uptake of e-books: help requested (3) Details of any classification / cataloguing / metadata issues you have recorded / of which you are aware Details of any systems issues you have recorded / of which you are aware Particularly helpful contacts – academics and librarians – in HE and FE

“If [Publisher X] were to stop messing around with worthless projects, they might produce more usable, better quality texts” Professor X, University of Southampton

Promoting the uptake of e-books in UK further and higher education Linda Bennett