Integration and Use of EBooks at an Academic Library

1
Integration and Use of E-Books at an Academic
Library

• Susan Gibbons
• Digital Initiatives Librarian
• University of Rochester
• sgibbons_at_rcl.lib.rochester.edu

2
Two netLibrary E-Book Studies during Spring 2001
Semester

• General Use Study

• Course e-Reserves

3
General Use Study

• Nylink shared collection of 3,613 titles
• Promotion
• MARC records in catalog
• Librarys website (FAQ and tutorial)
• Bibliographic instruction
• Data Collection
• Monthly activity reports
• Online surveys (31 completed)

4
General Use Study

• Findings
• MARC records in catalog
• Use went up by 755
• Collection development tool (previously owned
  only 1 of the top 10 titles)
• Macroeconomics had 310 circs in 5 months-
  impossible in paper format
• Consortial pricing was very inexpensive means of
  obtaining sufficient critical mass

5
General Use Study

• Findings
• Subject areas with most use
• Economics Business- 25
• Computer Science- 22
• Technology Engineering- 3(!)
• IT titles very popular, but purchase from
  netLibrary doesnt make sense
• 69 reported difficulties (this is decreasing)
• 85 want Library to purchase more e-books

6
E-Reserves Study

• 17 titles (10 courses) on course reserves and in
  netLibrary collection
• Paper and e-book had same checkout period
• Promotion
• Both paper and e-book listed in course reserves
  module
• Every student received explanatory handout
• Data Collection
• Weekly usage stats (paper and e-book)
• Survey

7
E-Reserves Study

• Findings
• 3 to 1 students chose e-book over paper (66 to
  183 circs)
• Reasons for paper preference
• In class copy for quick reference
• Not as harsh on eyes
• Doesnt require ownership of computer

8
E-Reserves Study

• Findings
• Reasons for e-book preference
• No waiting - misconception!
• Saves money UR quirk
• Available when Library is closed
• No physical visit required- campus parking is a
  nightmare

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E-Reserves Study

• Ideal e-book system for course reserves
• Simultaneous users
• or
• Semester renting model
• Easy means to print a personal copy
• or
• Text can be loaded onto a portable device

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Useful URLS

• Full report and survey results available at
• http//www.lib.rochester.edu/main/ebooks/studies.
  htm
• Electronic Books in Libraries website at
• http//www.lib.rochester.edu/main/ebooks/index.ht
  m
• Librarians eBook Newsletter at
• http//www.lib.rochester.edu/main/ebooks/archive.
  htm
• University of Rochester Libraries homepage
• http//www.lib.rochester.edu