The Brisbane Case Study: Patron and Library Perspectives on E-books and E-book Readers Linda Wilkins, Michael Coburn, Daria Loi, Peter Burrows

‘It was just to give them a flavour’

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Question: Why should libraries get into this new format? Wouldn't libraries be better off just sticking with regular books? Answer: Develop the best service to our customers. Showcase this new technology. Offer access to far more books than we could ever fit on our actual shelves. (from Richmond Public Library, British Columbia Canada)

Why should libraries get into this new format? Wouldn't libraries be better off just sticking with regular books?

Advantages of E-books Usability Functionality ‘Bringing dead books back to life’ Providing the complete list of works by an author And more….

Problems with E-books (1) Nature Of The Content Lack Of Choice In The Content Bulk Purchases for Library? Standard Library Operating Methods? Usage on a Lending Basis

Problems with E-books (2) Library Circulation Models Cost Displaying E-book titles An unstable technology The future role of the public library

The Dream List

Brisbane Librarians’ Dream List 1.All books are available in electronic form 2.Books never go out of print 3.Eliminate short print runs and ‘not available in Australia’ notices

Brisbane Librarians’ Dream List 4. Books less expensive but viable for publishers and authors 5. Books returned by ‘magic’ when the loan period expires 6. Book theft and defacement no longer an issue

Brisbane Librarians’ Dream List 7.Batches of new books sent out according to customer’s personal profile 8.Chapters for loan - not only whole books or series 9.Interactive books available that talk to you and have video and hyperlinks

Customers for E-book Readers

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A Repeated Observation: the positive response of patrons who trialled the e-book readers

What Patrons Enjoyed The backlight - its convenience Increased control over lighting, contrast and font size A customized reading environment Ease of use of eReaders

For many of the users e-book technology did not emerge as a substitute for paper-based texts

Instead e-books and the e-book readers were seen to be adding value and variety to the reading experiences of borrowers

Libraries offer A community-based circulation model cushioning the financial and personal risk- taking of individuals who might hesitate at becoming early adopters of technology

Libraries offer A unique and trusted forum for sharing and collecting information about the pros and cons of a new technology such as the ebook reader.

Libraries of the Future Transaction Portals (controlled sharing) Information Portals (an information commons) Campbell, 2000

The Brisbane Case Study: Patron and Library Perspectives on E-books and E-book Readers Linda Wilkins, Michael Coburn, Daria Loi, Peter Burrows