Overview of Electronic Book Technology

1
Overview of Electronic BookTechnology
October 1, 2001

• Susan Gibbons
• Digital Initiatives Librarian, University of
  Rochester
• (formerly) LSTA-Funded eBook Evaluation Project
  Director

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Types of eBook Systems
Devices
Software
Digital Audio Books
Subscription Services
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eBook Devices

• Must own the device to read the content
• Several titles loaded simultaneously
• Personal annotations, choice of font sizes,
  backlighting, full-text searching, dictionary
• Screens designed specifically for reading
• not the same as reading on a computer screen
• Gemstars RCA REB1100 REB1200
• Many more devices in the works

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eBook Devices Downloading
bn.com powells.com amazon.com
Gemstar Server
Gemstar Server
Ethernet Port
ANALOG!
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eBook Devices

• Current technology lacks widespread adoption
• Frustration with encryption and lack of
  inter-operability
• Growing interest around e-textbook devices

goReader
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eBook Software

• Make use of devices you already have
• Desktop computer, laptop computer or handhelds
• Personal annotations, choice of font sizes,
  full-text searching
• Download
• directly to computer
• to device via computer
• Microsoft Reader Adobe Reader Palm Reader etc.

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eBook Software

• Frustration with encryption and lack of
  inter-operability
• Screens not made for extensive reading
• Work interactively with other software

Orpheus Emerged By Jack Kerouac 4.95 LiveReads.co
m
Includes interactive timeline, hypertext links,
audio and video clips
8
eBook Subscription Services

• Large collections of scholarly monograph (some
  have articles)
• Bundled with research tools
• Personal annotations
• Citation bibliography creation
• Full-text searching

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eBook Subscription Services

• Must be on-line to access collection- no mobility
• Where does library fit within their business
  models?

Libraries are customers
Libraries are competition
Libraries are partners
10
Digital Audio Books

• Digital equivalent of a book on tape, but in MP3
  format
• Content played on MP3 players

Samsung Mini-Yepp
Digisette Duo-Aria
Diamond Rio 500
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Digital Audio Books

• Minimum monthly purchase of content from Audible
• Predetermine number of circulating MP3 players
• Encryption relaxed so titles work on any of a
  librarys suite of MP3 players
• Agreement not to circulate more copies than
  purchased

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Pricing Selection

• Includes non-traditional material
• Most Audible titles are cheaper than in cassette
  or CD format

Dreamcatcher by Stephen King Audible.com-
31.95 Cassette List Price- 49.95 CD List Price-
59.95
Hannibal by Thomas Harris Audible.com-
17.95 Cassette List Price- 21.95 CD List Price-
31.95
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eBook Implementation Issues
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eBook Implementation Issues

• Selection
• Content is proprietary
• Publishers worried about Napster
• Select ebook system by content
• Availability of titles
• Whats missing?
• eBook-only
• eBook-enhanced

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eBook Implementation Issues

• Selection
• Collection development
• Not well integrated into collection development
  tools
• When are ebooks a good substitute for paper
  books?
• directories, indexes, encyclopedias
• e-reserves
• complex images
• certain subject matters- IT titles

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eBook Implementation Issues

• Acquisition / Licensing
• Fair Use
• Doctrine of First Sale
• Rent or own?
• Encryption
• Presents many challenges to libraries
• Payment methods

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eBook Implementation Issues

• Collection Integration / Discovery Support
• How does one catalog an ebook?
• How does one browse an ebook?
• Lack of interoperability among systems
• Loss of content when device or software is
  obsolete
• Vendors go out of business
• Loss of content- IT Knowledge

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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

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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

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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

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Contact Information
Susan Gibbons Digital Initiatives
Librarian University of Rochester (716)
275-6320 sgibbons_at_rcl.lib.rochester.edu
Projects Website http//www.rrlc.org/ebook/ebook
home.html
Librarians eBook Newsletter http//www.rrlc.org/e
book/issues.htm