ATLA Conference 2013 EBOOKS: Nuts and Bolts Acquisitions, Cataloging, and Access Patsy Yang, Digital Services Librarian Matthew Thiesen, Reference & Instruction Librarian
WHY EBOOKS? Academia College students use laptops, iPads, Kindles, Nooks, & other mobile devices Commuter and online students Students want 24/7 access to research
WHY EBOOKS? GGBTS: 9 th largest seminary in the U.S. Multiple campuses Online classes Students across the U.S. and around the world Cost effectiveness One copy available to all or Purchase multiple print copies
GGBTS IS A SEMINARY SYSTEM
Ebook Models Subscription Packages Annual payment Broad coverage Sometimes UU/MUPO access Low “cost” per title
Ebook Models Perpetual Purchases 1-time expense, perpetual “access” Packaged or selected content Single or multiple copies PDA options Full price per title
Ebook Platforms/Vendors EBSCO Ebooks Ebrary (ProQuest) EBL (ProQuest) Many other platforms: Brill, Cambridge, De Gruyter, etc. E-Reference Suites (Oxford or Routledge)
Ebook Platforms/Vendors EBSCO Ebooks
Ebook Platforms/Vendors Ebrary
Technical Preparation Start early Customize platforms ( EBSCO Admin) EBSCO Admin Proxy server setup (EzProxy config.txt entries)EzProxy config.txt entries openURL linking ( Serials Solutions) Serials Solutions
Acquisitions Selection Criteria – What to collect? Availability (commentaries?!?) Vendor/Platform Distributor (YBP), Vendor (EBSCO), or publisher? Access Options 1U/SUPO or UU/MUPO? PDA and/or loans?
Acquisitions ILS Issues – not created to handle E-content Choice: no holding records for ebooks Voyager’s Acq. module requires holding records Improvised workflow with tools available
Cataloging Decision Point—MARC Records in Catalog? Owned or Subscribed? Downloading/Bulk Imports MARC Record 856 field—include proxy server address Vendor URL changes require 856 field updates
Discovery & Use Publicize! Provide tutorials Educate: Faculty Students
Discovery & Use Make it as easy as possible Remember – browsing ebooks is different than browsing stacks! Downloads & mobile use Be ready for questions!
PDA GGBTS Pilot PDA Project EBSCO’s ECM Small batch (100) of selected titles Preliminary Results More complex than expected Some workflow issues Business Office issues (pre-paid account?)
Record Keeping Spreadsheets System administration Workflow Evaluation Usage Statistics Annual Meeting
Record Keeping
Common Problems Access Issues Title not in A-Z list Vendor adds titles without notice Unannounced platform “updates” Varying customization options Cataloging Issues Making ebooks visible to patrons (EDS issues)
Benefits Immediate access, regardless of physical location Single or multi use on many titles Fulltext searchable Download or print sections Download whole book for limited period PDA allows patrons to participate in collection development
Drawbacks Vendors Too many platforms! Market still in flux – shifting models Link on course website or CMS? Ethics Ownership vs. subscription/access ILL lending?
Drawbacks Usage No “Reserves” option (yet) E-reading issues Print preference Pricing List prices for ebooks Many sales for print books (20-60% off!)
The Future? More/better theological resource availability? Commentaries!!! Equal representation across denominations Reserve options? Discounts and/or sales on ebooks? Integrative platforms? Preservation for ebooks (LOCKSS?)?
Questions
Contact Information Patsy Yang Digital Services Librarian Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary Matthew Thiesen Reference & Instruction Librarian Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary