The experience of student use of eBooks on mobile devices Amy Devenney, University of Huddersfield Maggie Sarjantson, University of Hull

Outline of session  Development of NC Content SIG’s eBooks matrix  What and why  Findings  Briefing paper for Directors’ Group  Connections to national and international initiatives  KB+ and JISC  ‘Local’ activity

Context (1)  eBooks embedded in HE libraries and teaching  Technical challenges for students not appreciated by libraries. Key assumptions:  PC is straightforward, friendly experience  problems with mobile devices

Context (2) 2014  Jisc & SCONUL proposed eBooks projects  Several Libraries independently testing eBooks  July - NC Directors’ Group commissioned briefing paper 2015  July - paper presented to Directors’ Group  Shared with SCONUL & JISC  Pilot database in development

How we promote eBooks to students  Available 24/7/365  Don’t need to carry them  Separate to borrowing allocation  No fines!

What they tell us! images.indianexpress.com/2015/04/frustration-main.jpg

eBooks matrix Licence Platform/ Online reader Mobile interface Accessibility

What we tested Devices  Networked University PCs  iPad Air  ASUS Transformer Android tablet  Samsung Galaxy Android tablet  Kindle Fire Platforms

Licences LicenceDawsoneraMyiLibraryEBLVLeBooksebrary Download allowance 100% for specific time Choose to activate download option 100% for specific time 100% for specific time No information Copy allowance usually 10% - restricted by DRM Yes - subject to publishers restrictions 5% - through online system to create a 'hit' usually 10% - restricted by DRM No information Print allowance usually 10% - restricted by DRM Yes - subject to publishers restrictions 20% - through the online system to create a 'hit' usually 10% - restricted by DRM No information ing results No Yes No information

Facilitating the users’ reading experience - online readers  Bookshelf feature  Text annotation and export  Preservation of original pagination  Citation exporting  Hyperlinked table of contents  Hyperlinked keyword search  Count-down feature of printing and copying allowances

Inconsistencies across the different platforms – online readers  Changing content on the platforms  Changes to the terms of use – Pearson  Need for third-party software - e.g. Adobe Reader, Adobe Digital Editions, JavaScript  Lack of standardised DRM across the platform

Online Reader vs. Download Online ReaderDownload Copy Allowance  Print allowance  Original Pagination of text Table of Contents Keyword search - basic Note taking/annotation - basic Highlighting  Text resize 

Key finding DawsoneraMyiLibraryEBLEbraryVLeBooks PCAdobe AcrobatNot known Adobe Digital Editions iOS Adobe Reader/ Bluefire Reader VLeBooks App AndroidBluefire Reader Bluefire Reader, or VLeBooks App

iOS versus Android iOSAndroid 3 rd party softwareBluefire & Abode ID Copy allowance  Print allowance  Text wrap  Original text pagination Table of contents Keyword search Note taking/annotation - can extract notes - cannot extract notes Highlighting Contrast changes - 3 options - 1 option

Usability testing Exercises Retrieving eBook title via discovery system Finding specific chapter Finding reference in index Retrieving relevant page Using search feature within eBook Returning to eBook content page General comments Note taking/annotating Downloading Printing ing Citation saving/exporting Ease of use/intuitiveness Accessibility Text resize Contrast changes Compatibility with specialised software Images, charts and tables accessible

Main conclusions 1  Licences inconsistent across the platforms rarely detail access and DRM information  Users experience varies between ‘online reader’ and download modes have to learn how each online reader works

Main conclusions 2  Online reading affected by functionality of aggregators’ platforms  Downloading dependent on 3rd-party software or apps limited functionality consistent because all use Adobe & Bluefire

Recommendations (1)  Share briefing paper with…  KB+ Library Advisory Group to inform eBooks initiative  Jisc Collections, and National Books Framework to assist with contract and licencing discussions  aggregators to encourage dialogue & development to improve user experience

Recommendations (2)  NC to encourage broader user education of potential challenges and the extent of the libraries’ responsibility  Adobe Reader, Adobe Digital Editions, JavaScript software to be available on all student desktops within NC  Content, & Enabling SIGs to work further to understand accessibility issues  Disseminate via conference papers and academic article

Questions or comments?

Contacts Amy Devenney Acquisitions Manager University of Huddersfield Maggie Sarjantson Academic Liaison Librarian University of Hull