1. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys

2. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 2 Summary 1. Online surveys of researchers at institutions taking part in the SpringerLink eBooks trials in autumn 2007, spring 2008, and autumn 2008 2. Very positive feedback on SpringerLink eBooks: 86% of respondents found them (very) useful 3. Almost all researchers (92%) would like to use more eBooks, pointing to an unmet demand at participating institutions 4. Key advantages of eBooks are seen in anytime and everywhere accessibility, enhanced book functionalities (e.g. searching), easy storage and portability 5. Most respondents believe that they will use both eBooks and print books in the future, very much depending on content type and research task

3. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 3 Method Online survey among researchers at academic institutions and companies which participated in the SpringerLink eBooks trials Surveys conducted in November 2007, June 2008 and November 2008 Invitation e-mails sent to 6,500 researchers at 188 participating institutions in the US and Canada 206 completed interviews

4. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 4 Two thirds of respondents have used eBooks so far (Base: 206 respondents, closed question, Q1) Have you ever used eBooks?

5. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 5 Almost all users would like to use more eBooks (Base: 132 respondents having used eBooks, closed question, Q6) Would you like to use more eBooks?

6. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 6 More than 80% of users find Springer eBooks (very) useful (Base: 97 respondents having used SpringerLink eBooks, closed question, Q15) How useful is it for you to have access to SpringerLink eBooks?

7. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 7 Main advantages of eBooks: everywhere and anytime availability and better functionalities (Base: 132 respondents having used eBooks, open-ended question, Q9) What are the main advantages of eBooks compared to print books? Sample Statements: “Convenience of access (Research Scientist, University of Texas) „ Immediate access to a broad range on my computer, from wherever I work” (Graduate Student, University of North Dakota) „Convenient access to titles our library doesn't have. Sometimes I only need to see a couple of pages to get the info I need and wait a couple of days for inter- library loan is disruptive.” (Professor, University of San Diego) “eBooks are portable. I travel a lot. I can make book marks and copy parts of the text easily” (Professor, Indiana University Bloomington)

8. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 8 Main drawback for eBooks: print books provide a better reading experience (Base: 132 respondents having used eBooks, open-ended question, Q10) Are there any disadvantages of eBooks compared to print books?

9. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 9 (Base: 132 respondents having used eBooks, closed question, rating from 1=eBooks are much better to 5=print books are much better, Q11) Everywhere available Ease of use 24/7 accessibility Space/Storage Ease of making copies Pleasure of reading Ease of reading Up-to-dateness How do eBooks compare to print books on the following items? eBooks are much better Print books are much better Each medium has its particular strengths …

10. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 10 (Base: 206 respondents, closed question, Q16) What do you expect to happen with eBooks in 5 years time? In 5 years … Most respondents would like to have access to both eBooks and print books, depending on content type and research task

11. SpringerLink eBooks Trials 2007/2008: Results of User Surveys | January 2009 11 Respondents were from the following institutions (76 institutions): Air Force Research Laboratory Albert Einstein College of Medicine Alcoa Inc. BHP Billiton Boston College Boston University Brandeis University Brookhaven National Laboratory Bucknell University California Institute of Technology Central Michigan University Chowan University City University of New York Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Columbia University ConocoPhillips DFC Intelligence DuPont Eglin Air Force Base Emory University Genzyme Corporation Great Ape Trust of Iowa Holy Name Hospital Illinois State University Indiana University University of Alabama at Birmingham University of Arkansas University of California University of Iowa University of Kansas University of Miami University of Missouri University of Montana-Missoula University of Nebraska University of North Dakota University of North Texas University of Northern British Columbia University of Oxford University of San Diego University of Southern Maine University of Tennessee University of Texas Vanderbilt University Wesleyan University Western Illinois University Western Michigan University Iowa State University James Madison University Johns Hopkins University Lamar University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Massachusetts Maritime Academy Montana State University National Marine Fisheries Service Naval Postgraduate School Ohio State University Old Dominion University Oregon State University Portland State University Raytheon Rockefeller University Royal Dutch Shell Rush University Saint Louis University South Dakota State University Southern Methodist University State University of New York Stevens Institute of Technology Stony Brook University Syracuse University Tufts University