1. Author: Marybeth Moretti
INFO QUESTIONNAIRE
Professor: Val Yonker
Author: Marybeth Moretti
Drexel University
First Version Due 17 Feb 2011

2. Print Books vs. Electronic Books in the Academic Library Environment
Thank you for your time and assistance in completing this questionnaire. Our goal is to determine the effects that e-books are having in the academic library environment and whether they are being accepted. If you have any questions about this research, please contact Marybeth Moretti at This questionnaire should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.
Before you begin the questionnaire:
We will blind your responses. Your name will not be linked to any data.
In exchange for fully completing the survey, you will receive our complete survey findings.
After you submit your answers, we may contact you with any necessary follow-up questions.
By providing your answers, you are giving the research team permission to use the data for the intended research only. Your contact information will not be shared with any third parties.
This survey is intended for all those who utilize the Drexel Univ Hagerty Library, located at 33rd and Market Streets, Philadelphia, PA or online at

3. E-Book Definition
An electronic book (also e-book, ebook, digital book) is a text and image-based publication in digital form produced on, published by, and readable on computers or other digital devices. Sometimes the equivalent of a conventional printed book, e-books can also be born digital. The Oxford Dictionary of English defines the e-book as "an electronic version of a printed book,” but e-books can and do exist without any printed equivalent. E-books are usually read on dedicated hardware devices known as e-Readers or e-book devices. Personal computers and some cell phones can also be used to read e-books.
(Source: Wikipedia,

4. INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
Contact Information
Name
Phone
@drexel.edu
* We may contact you with any necessary follow-up questions to ensure that we do not misrepresent your answers.

5. Additional Information
Sex
Male
Female
Age
Under 21
46-55
22-25
56-64
26-35
64+
36-45

6. Additional Information (cont’d)
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
School Name
Drexel University
Title
Library Staff
Undergraduate Student
Faculty
Graduate Student
Other University Staff
Former Student/Graduate
What is your major area of concentration?
Arts and Humanities
Law
Business
Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Engineering
Other (specify)
Are you currently enrolled in the iSchool?
If no, have you ever taken an online course?
Yes No
Yes No

7. Do you currently use e-books?
Current e-Book Usage
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
Do you currently use e-books? Q1
Yes No
If you answered No, why not? Q2
If you answered Yes, answer the following: Q3
What is your preferred reading format? (Check all that apply)
E-Reader
Mobile Device
Computer Screen
Print and Read on Paper Q4
What is your method of obtaining e-books? (Check all that apply)
From Librarian
Library Collection
Online From Library Web Site
Online e-Book Store (Amazon, for example)
Other (specify) 7

8. Current e-Book Usage (cont’d)
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
What type of e-book do you prefer to read? (Check all that apply) Q5
Fiction
Textbook
I do not prefer e-books
Non-Fiction
Research Material
Reference Material
Other (specify)
What digital format do you prefer to read? (Check all that apply) Q6
PDF
ePub
HTML
Don’t Know
Other (specify)
How often do you use e-books? Q7
Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely
Never
How often do you use printed material? Q8
Frequently
Sometimes
Rarely
Never

9. Advantages & Disadvantages of e-Books
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
Would you use a pre-loaded eReading device? Q9
Yes No
Provide your opinion regarding the following -book characteristics
Q10
I do not like e-books because they are difficult to read on a screen
Agree
Disagree
Q11
Using e-books are environmentally friendly
Agree
Disagree
Q12
Using e-books are convenient
Agree
Disagree
Q13
Electronic book usage will be more prevalent in two (2) years
Agree
Disagree
Q14
Electronic books are not convenient for note taking
Agree
Disagree
Would you purchase a textbook in electronic format if it was just 10% cheaper?
Q15
Yes No
If No, when would you purchase an electronic textbook? (Check all that apply)
Q16
More than 10% discount
Option to rent at greatly reduced price
Never
Other (specify)

10. Your Library and e-Books
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
Do you currently download e-books from Drexel’s Hagerty Library?
Q17
Yes No
If you answered No, why not?
Q18
If you answered Yes, respond to the following:
What percentage do you think your library currently houses in e-book content?
Q19
1-10%
11-25%
26-50%
Over 50%
Don’t Know
Rate your overall experience with Hagerty Library’s e-book selection.
Q20
Excellent
Good
Neutral
Fair
Poor
N/A
Rate your overall experience with Hagerty Library’s use of technology.
Q21
Excellent
Good
Neutral
Fair
Poor
N/A

11. Your Library and e-Book s (cont’d)
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
Have you ever experienced technical difficulties downloading e-books from
Drexel’s Hagerty Library?
Q22
Yes No
Rate your overall experience with the Library’s technical assistance.
Q23
Excellent
Good
Neutral
Fair
Poor
N/A
Were you already aware that library staff and technical assistance could be accessed
via phone, , chat, and in person?
Q24
Yes No
How important do you think it is for your academic library to make e-books available?
Q25
Essential
Important
Somewhat
Important
Not
Important
Irrelevant
No Opinion
The e-books offered are not always compatible with my device.
Q26
Agree
Disagree

12. Do you currently use…? (Check all that apply)
The Future of e-Books
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
Do you currently use…? (Check all that apply)
Q27
MP3 Player
Tablet
Other Gaming Device
Digital Camera
PC/laptop
GPS
Wii
Smartphone
Other (specify)
What obstacles keep you from using e-books?
Q28
If you have comments regarding the use of e-books in an academic library, please provide them here.
Q29

13. The Future of e-Books (cont’d)
INFO515 QUESTIONNAIRE
In the future, do you think eReaders will improve reading enough to make e-books
more prevalent than printed material?
Q30
Yes No
What eReader functions would make you use the technology more?
Q31

14. THANK YOU for completing this questionnaire!
Your time is greatly appreciated.
You will receive the results via in 4-6 weeks.
If the “Thank You” screen appeared, you have successfully completed the online version of the questionnaire. If completing the printed version, please return via to Marybeth

15. References
Rowlands, I., Nicholas, D., Jamali, H. R. and Huntington, P. (10 Aug 2007). What do faculty and students really think about e-books? Aslib Proceedings New Information Perspectives, Vol 59, No. 6, 2007, pp (See file: Faculty_Student_Opinion_eBooks.pdf)