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Have e-books turned the page? Wendy Abbott & Kate Kelly. Sooner or later!. Style created by: Lisa Barker and Kate Kelly. E-book prejudices. “to the world of processed food and processed hair we now add the processed book” (Esposito, 2003)
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Have e-books turned the page? Wendy Abbott & Kate Kelly Sooner or later! Style created by: Lisa Barker and Kate Kelly
E-book prejudices • “to the world of processed food and processed hair we now add the processed book” (Esposito, 2003) • “not some fanciful format that publishers hope will catch on among thrill-seeking librarians” (Golderman & Connolly, 2004) • “the 1980s will see the book … begin a steady slide into oblivion” (Evans, 1979)
Overview • What exactly is an e-book? • Diversity of models under the e-book banner • Case study of E-books at Bond University • E-book implications for libraries • More research needed
What exactly is an e-book? • E-books are monographs • Similar to printed books but… • Created and distributed in an electronic format • Reader must have direct access to the digital medium (Mattison, 2002) • Either delivered and read online • Or downloaded to a hand-held device • Plus some unique features
The evolutionary record for e-books • Proliferation of commercial models • Variety of technology applications • E-books on hand-held devices • E-books online • Subject content diversity • broad-based to discipline specific • Transforming from e-book into e-something else
Bond University Case Study Background Private, non-profit university Approximately 2,700 students on campus (50/50 domestic and international students) 6 academic units (Business, Health Sciences and Medicine, Humanities and Social Sciences, IT, Law & Learning Communities)
Bond University Library • Challenges in meeting information needs of a small, diverse and dynamic university environment • Provide depth & breadth for disciplinary areas taught • Respond quickly to changes • Assure value for money
Bond University Librarycontinued… • Library is well resourced – per EFTSU allocation well above the national average • IT environment favours electronic information delivery
P-books for IT students • Library surveys indicated low usage of IT print books (up to 30% never borrowed) • Limited shelf life for IT books • Constant need to update the collection in a fast moving discipline • Reasonable uptake of electronic journals (ACM Digital Library, Ebsco’s Computer Source)
E-books for IT students • Lecturer prescribing e-book subscriptions for students instead of textbooks • Safari Books in 2002 & Books 24x7 in 2003 • Library trialled both Books 24x7 and Safari Books … • Subscription to Safari Books commenced in mid-2003 (eventually!)
What students liked about e-books • Good search functions and navigation • Ability to cut and paste • Extensive range of books • well organised material & up-to-date examples • Paper saving • Convenient(don’t have to carry heavy books) • Cheap
What students didn’t like about e-books • Difficulties reading from screen (tiring reading online) • Need a computer and internet access • Inability to take “normal” notes and highlight text
More feedback from students • Still want p-books! • Need practice to learn how to study online
Why prescribe e-textbooks? • Ensure students had online access to academically rigorous, up to date, body of information • Ensure students had access to more than one textbook • Could easily link e-textbook material into lecture program to reinforce learning
What the Lecturer found… • Student achievement not disadvantaged • Fewer “cries for help” as students had easy access to a large no. of examples • E-book service encouraged students to copy with appropriate acknowledgement • Processes for arranging subscriptions was convoluted
Library issues • Plethora of issues to resolve when negotiating licenses for e-book services • With Safari Books – possibility to modify selections • Issues about how to integrate with existing Library resources
More research needed • Issues about e-book technology • Reading online • Studying online • Effects on student achievement • Questions about how best to integrate e-books into the learning environment
The Bond case study shows • E-books are “carefully conceived niche products with great potential to help librarians meet their users’ needs” (Golderman & Connolly, 2004) • Students welcome the additional features and web accessibility • Lecturer values quality content • Library appreciates greater flexibility
By working in partnership with the academic community and continuing research into the usage, applications and perceptions of e-books amongst user groups, the Library can add value to learning environments. In Conclusion