: Iris Perkins and Graeme Johanson Information Online Conference January 2009 New Texts in Old Pedagogies; Use of Electronic Books by Undergraduates

Evidence-based librarianship Nursing at LaTrobe University,Shepparton Campus Research questions - extent of e-book acceptance - barriers to e-book use

Literature Review – a summary E-book advantages in library collections - good cost per use ratio End-user research of how the e-book experience is perceived - high awareness but low use Academics do not value e-books

This study approach Choice of cohort to study Pre-test First survey (2006) Second survey (2008) Interviews

Results Pre- test (second week, first semester) - over half felt their computer skills were good or better - unanimous positive expectation that e-books would be used in their studies First survey (end of first semester) - use of electronic resources high (all used CINAHL and OVID) - 54% had used e-books with very positive comments

Results (continued) Second survey (last semester, third year) - 59% had used e-books (not much increase over first year) - high use of internet for research - satisfaction with library electronic resources still very high (88%)

Advantages of e-books Can print out parts instead of photocopying60% 24/7 access50% Cheaper than buying text50% Easy to do keyword searches30% Up-to-date information10% Save to memory stick to use later10%

Disadvantages of e-books Hard to find in the library catalogue40% Difficult to read on screen40% Searching did not find what I needed30% Printing and copying options not adequate20%

Non-users of e-books I forget they exist60% I have no broadband access at home30% I do not like the idea of reading an onscreen book20% I have heard they are hard to search10% I find everything in journals10%

The interviews Two were keen e-book users, but limited in their searching for them Two couldn’t remember being shown an e-book One spoke of negative experiences All agreed that a lecturer had never mentioned an e-book and there were none on reading lists

Obstacles to e-book use User frustration No broadband access at home Not knowing about e-books Forgetting about e-books when searching

Recommendations for better use Promotion to academics E-books on reading lists E-books embedded in the curriculum Promotion to students “Remind me about e-books”

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