Overview of Electronic Book Technology Susan Gibbons LSTA-Funded E-Book Evaluation Project Director & Digital Initiatives Librarian, University of Rochester September 21, 2001
Types of eBook Systems DevicesSoftware Subscription Services Digital Audio Books
eBook Devices Must own the device to read the content Personal annotations, choice of font sizes, backlighting, full-text searching, dictionary Device designed specifically for reading not the same as reading on a computer screen Download via computer via internal modem
eBook Devices Current technology lacks widespread adoption Frustration with encryption and lack of inter-operability Growing interest around etextbook devices goReader
eBook Software Make use of devices you already have Personal annotation, choice of font sizes, full-text searching Work interactively with other software Download directly to computer to device via computer
eBook Software Frustration with encryption and lack of inter-operability Screens not made for extensive reading
eBook Subscription Services Library or personal subscriptions Bundled with research tools Personal annotations Citation & bibliography creation Full-text searching Must be on-line to access collection
Audio eBooks Digital equivalent of a book on tape, but in MP3 format Contract with Audible.com permits libraries to circulate content No lost or damaged cassette tapes
eBook Implementation Issues Selection Content is proprietary Publishers worried about Napster Select ebook system by content Availability of titles What’s missing? eBook-only eBook-enhanced
eBook Implementation Issues Selection Collection development Not well integrated into collection development tools Times when ebooks are good substitute for paper books –directories, indexes, encyclopedias –e-reserves –complex images –certain subject matters
eBook Implementation Issues Acquisition / Licensing Fair Use Doctrine of First Sale Rent or own? Encryption Presents many challenges to libraries Reader authentication Payment methods
eBook Implementation Issues Collection Integration / Discovery Support How does one catalog an ebook? How does one browse an ebook? Lack of interoperability among devices Loss of content with device is obsolete Vendors go out of business Loss of content
eBook Implementation Issues Physical Deployment & Support Circulation What if device is lost or broken? Circulation of peripherals Batteries Clean-up of personal markings Ease of Use / Ease of Support Differing hardware & software requirements Training of staff and patrons
eBook Implementation Issues Physical Deployment & Support Resources $$$$ Time Best uses for limited computers Permanence What will be the Betamax and what will be the VHS? Archiving and perpetual acess
Keep in mind… Few ebook systems created with libraries in mind Possible for ebooks to bypass libraries There is growing competition in the information marketplace