Librarian's eBook Newsletter

Adams, Scott. "A Cartoonist's Venture Into the World of E-Books," New York Times, 11/5/01. Dilbert Cartoonist, Scott Adams, describes his experiences with his first authored ebook, "God's Debris," which is the top selling ebook this year.

Fischer, Ruth and Rich Lugg. "ebooks: Evolving in Content and Form," Information Standards Quarterly, 13:4, p. 1-12. Very detailed survey of the current ebook landscape and a look at what lies ahead, including concept maps, dynamic diagrams and virtual reality.

Lawrence, Stephen R., Lynn Silipigni Connaway and Keith H. Brigham. "Life Cycle Costs of Library Collections: Creation of Effective Performance and Cost Metrics for Library Resources," College & Research Libraries, 62:6, pp. 541-553. This research was commissioned and sponsored by netLibrary. The paper develops a methodology to determine the life cycle costs of collections, resulting in the expected conclusion that the purchase price of acquiring a collection is only a small portion of the total cost of maintaining the collection. The study suggests that ebooks may be one way by which to control the costs of acquiring and maintaining hard-copy monographs.

Peters, Tom and Lori Bell. "Academic Libraries Take an E-Look at E-Books," Report on the E-Book Grant-Funded Project at Spoon River College and Eureka College. The objective of this project was "to learn what happens when a college library provides pre-loaded course-related content on handheld, portable e-book devices directly to the hands of undergraduate students and their professors for their use in actual course-related readings." This report contains the project's findings and recommendations.

Library Hi Tech's Vol. 19, Issue 4 is a special issue on ebooks. Articles are available online to journal subscribers. Included in the issue are:

Coyle, Karen. "Stakeholders and standards in the ebook ecology: or, it's the economics, stupid!"
Abstract: Standards are being developed in five primary areas of ebook development: ebook formats, digital audio formats, digital rights management languages, digital rights management systems, and distribution and promotion. Each of these standards has technological, economic and social aspects. This article describes some key e-books standards and discusses how these aspects are shaping the emerging ebook products.

Burk, Roberta. "Ebook devices and the marketplace: in search of customers."
Abstract: Since the introduction of the rocket ebook several years ago, e-books have promised to revolutionize the way we read. Yet despite the numerous advantages offered by various ebook readers and despite the widespread popularity of personal digital assistants (PDAs) and pocket PCs capable of reading electronic books, the ebook market has thus far failed to materialize.

Lonsdale, Ray & Chris Armstrong. "Electronic books: challenges for academic libraries."
Abstract: This paper, based on three recent research projects, addresses some of the issues that are central to the acceptance and integration of electronic scholarly monographs and textbooks (henceforth, referred to as e-monographs) into the academic library. The findings suggest that the almost casual use of terms like "digital library" and "hybrid library" belies the reality of a slow acceptance of nearly all digital textual resources other than journals, and a demonstrable lack of user take up of most kinds of electronic library-information resources.

Connaway, Lynn Silipigni. "A Web-based electronic book (ebook) library: the netLibrary model."
Abstract: Despite some skepticism about the adoption of electronic books (e-books) in libraries, there has been substantial growth in ebook acquisitions and usage. The ebook task force for the University of California digital library identified eight elements that are important to the evaluation of academic ebook usage. The elements are: content, software and hardware standards and protocols, digital rights management, access, archiving, privacy, the market and pricing, and enhancements and ideal ebook features. There are currently several ebook models available to libraries that can be assessed and described in relation to the above-mentioned elements or criteria. Using these elements, the netLibrary ebook model will be described.

Dillon, Dennis. "E-books: the University of Texas experience, part 2."
Abstract: This article follows-up on an earlier Library Hi Tech article on the ebook program at the University of Texas. It notes changes in usage that have occurred with the addition of ebook catalog records in the library online catalog, and changes in selection patterns as librarians have gained more experience with the ebook It also surveys the current digital information environment, notes the increasing commodification of information, details the ebook efforts of the Association of American Publishers and examines potential future ebook directions.

Gibbons, Susan. "Growing competition for libraries."
Abstract: This article begins with an analysis of Questia's online collection of digitized books and articles. Although the collection is not found to be a strong one, Questia's strength lies in its ability to utilize the digital format to overcome many of the barriers and inconsistencies that undergraduate students encounter in a traditional brick-and-mortar academic library. Librarians can learn a lot from Questia and perhaps use that knowledge to improve their own services.

Hughes, Carol Ann & Nancy L. Buchanan. "Use of electronic monographs in the humanities and social sciences."
Abstract: This article provides preliminary information about patterns of access and use of a collection of 35,000 electronic scholarly monographs in the humanities and social sciences provided by a commercial online library collection, Questia^SM. Search logs and page view logs were analyzed as to the characteristics of the search queries and browsing within titles. Major findings include patterns of simple search queries and significant access to a surprising breadth of titles.

Terry, Ana Arias. "Electronic ink technologies: showing the way to a brighter future."
Abstract: Electronic ink and reusable electronic paper technology are painting their way out of R&D labs and into the world of signage, e-books, and other hand-held devices. This paper examines the evolving technology, the companies leading the efforts, and the possible applications and implications for publishing and academia. It offers some insights on market speculation from members of the professional and academic publishing community, industry analysts and venture capitalists. The paper concludes by making a few observations on current and future technological trends and their impact on the higher education market and society.

Brown, Gary J. "Beyond print: reading digitally."
Abstract:The development of reader devices and improvement of screen technology have made reading on screens less cumbersome. Our acts of reading are not univocal, as we read in many different ways with many different goals in mind. Reader software can provide different levels of navigation support for the manipulation of digital text, presenting capabilities for analytic reading not available in the print-on-paper reading experience and compensating for our lack of orientation and feeling of omnipotent dominance of text. The parameters of e-text reading and the issues of access remain central to readers and researchers, whether the electronic text is designed and packaged as an "e-book" for portable reading devices, or resides on a server for distribution to library terminals to be downloaded to desktop PCs, laptops or tablet PCs. The power and functionality of reading software - note-taking, highlighting and indexing capabilities, robust open searching across databases - are ultimately linked to open access issues: interoperability, text standards, and digital rights management. These remain key questions for libraries, publishers and researchers.

Text-e is "the first entirely virtual symposium dedicated to investigating the impact of the Web on reading, writing and the diffusion of knowledge." Begun in mid-October and extending through March 2002, a new topic is explored every 2 weeks, initiated by an opening speech and followed-up with on-line discussions. All of the speeches, as well as the on-line discussions are archived and available for download from the Text-e website (http://www.text-e.org). The schedule of topics and speakers is as follows:

"Readers and Readings in the Electronic Age"- October 15 - October 31. Speaker: Roger Chartier
"What the Internet tells us about the Real Nature of the Book"- October 31 - November 14.
Speaker: Roberto Casati
"Skyreading and Skywriting for Researchers: A Post-Gutenberg Anomaly and How to Resolve it"-
November 14 - November 30. Speaker: Stevan Harnad
"Transmitting, reacting, remembering: Journalism on the Internet"- November 30 - December 14.
Speaker: Bruno Patino
"Personal and Professional Conversation"- December 14 - December 31. Speaker: Theodore
Zeldin
"Reading: The Digital Future"- December 31 - January 14. Speaker: Jason Epstein
"Babel and the Vintage Selection: Libraries in the Digital Age"- January 14 - January 31. Bibliothèque
Publique d'Information
"Reading Without Writing"- January 31 - February 14. Speaker: Dan Sperber
"The New Architecture of Information"- February 14 - February 28. Speaker: Stephana Broadbent
& Francesco Cara
"Authors and Authority"- February 28 - March 14. Speaker: Umberto Eco



	Table of Contents > Regular Columns

	eBook Articles *Adams, Scott. "A Cartoonist's Venture Into the World of E-Books," New York Times, 11/5/01.* Dilbert Cartoonist, Scott Adams, describes his experiences with his first authored ebook, "God's Debris," which is the top selling ebook this year. *Fischer, Ruth and Rich Lugg. "ebooks: Evolving in Content and Form," Information Standards Quarterly, 13:4, p. 1-12.* Very detailed survey of the current ebook landscape and a look at what lies ahead, including concept maps, dynamic diagrams and virtual reality. Lawrence, Stephen R., Lynn Silipigni Connaway and Keith H. Brigham. "Life Cycle Costs of Library Collections: Creation of Effective Performance and Cost Metrics for Library Resources," College & Research Libraries, 62:6, pp. 541-553. This research was commissioned and sponsored by netLibrary. The paper develops a methodology to determine the life cycle costs of collections, resulting in the expected conclusion that the purchase price of acquiring a collection is only a small portion of the total cost of maintaining the collection. The study suggests that ebooks may be one way by which to control the costs of acquiring and maintaining hard-copy monographs. Peters, Tom and Lori Bell. "Academic Libraries Take an E-Look at E-Books," Report on the E-Book Grant-Funded Project at Spoon River College and Eureka College. The objective of this project was "to learn what happens when a college library provides pre-loaded course-related content on handheld, portable e-book devices directly to the hands of undergraduate students and their professors for their use in actual course-related readings." This report contains the project's findings and recommendations. Library Hi Tech's Vol. 19, Issue 4 is a special issue on ebooks. Articles are available online to journal subscribers. Included in the issue are: Coyle, Karen. "Stakeholders and standards in the ebook ecology: or, it's the economics, stupid!" Abstract: Standards are being developed in five primary areas of ebook development: ebook formats, digital audio formats, digital rights management languages, digital rights management systems, and distribution and promotion. Each of these standards has technological, economic and social aspects. This article describes some key e-books standards and discusses how these aspects are shaping the emerging ebook products. Burk, Roberta. "Ebook devices and the marketplace: in search of customers." Abstract: Since the introduction of the rocket ebook several years ago, e-books have promised to revolutionize the way we read. Yet despite the numerous advantages offered by various ebook readers and despite the widespread popularity of personal digital assistants (PDAs) and pocket PCs capable of reading electronic books, the ebook market has thus far failed to materialize. Lonsdale, Ray & Chris Armstrong. "Electronic books: challenges for academic libraries." Abstract: This paper, based on three recent research projects, addresses some of the issues that are central to the acceptance and integration of electronic scholarly monographs and textbooks (henceforth, referred to as e-monographs) into the academic library. The findings suggest that the almost casual use of terms like "digital library" and "hybrid library" belies the reality of a slow acceptance of nearly all digital textual resources other than journals, and a demonstrable lack of user take up of most kinds of electronic library-information resources. Connaway, Lynn Silipigni. "A Web-based electronic book (ebook) library: the netLibrary model." Abstract: Despite some skepticism about the adoption of electronic books (e-books) in libraries, there has been substantial growth in ebook acquisitions and usage. The ebook task force for the University of California digital library identified eight elements that are important to the evaluation of academic ebook usage. The elements are: content, software and hardware standards and protocols, digital rights management, access, archiving, privacy, the market and pricing, and enhancements and ideal ebook features. There are currently several ebook models available to libraries that can be assessed and described in relation to the above-mentioned elements or criteria. Using these elements, the netLibrary ebook model will be described. Dillon, Dennis. "E-books: the University of Texas experience, part 2." Abstract: This article follows-up on an earlier Library Hi Tech article on the ebook program at the University of Texas. It notes changes in usage that have occurred with the addition of ebook catalog records in the library online catalog, and changes in selection patterns as librarians have gained more experience with the ebook It also surveys the current digital information environment, notes the increasing commodification of information, details the ebook efforts of the Association of American Publishers and examines potential future ebook directions. Gibbons, Susan. "Growing competition for libraries." Abstract: This article begins with an analysis of Questia's online collection of digitized books and articles. Although the collection is not found to be a strong one, Questia's strength lies in its ability to utilize the digital format to overcome many of the barriers and inconsistencies that undergraduate students encounter in a traditional brick-and-mortar academic library. Librarians can learn a lot from Questia and perhaps use that knowledge to improve their own services. Hughes, Carol Ann & Nancy L. Buchanan. "Use of electronic monographs in the humanities and social sciences." Abstract: This article provides preliminary information about patterns of access and use of a collection of 35,000 electronic scholarly monographs in the humanities and social sciences provided by a commercial online library collection, Questia^SM. Search logs and page view logs were analyzed as to the characteristics of the search queries and browsing within titles. Major findings include patterns of simple search queries and significant access to a surprising breadth of titles. Terry, Ana Arias. "Electronic ink technologies: showing the way to a brighter future." Abstract: Electronic ink and reusable electronic paper technology are painting their way out of R&D labs and into the world of signage, e-books, and other hand-held devices. This paper examines the evolving technology, the companies leading the efforts, and the possible applications and implications for publishing and academia. It offers some insights on market speculation from members of the professional and academic publishing community, industry analysts and venture capitalists. The paper concludes by making a few observations on current and future technological trends and their impact on the higher education market and society. Brown, Gary J. "Beyond print: reading digitally." Abstract:The development of reader devices and improvement of screen technology have made reading on screens less cumbersome. Our acts of reading are not univocal, as we read in many different ways with many different goals in mind. Reader software can provide different levels of navigation support for the manipulation of digital text, presenting capabilities for analytic reading not available in the print-on-paper reading experience and compensating for our lack of orientation and feeling of omnipotent dominance of text. The parameters of e-text reading and the issues of access remain central to readers and researchers, whether the electronic text is designed and packaged as an "e-book" for portable reading devices, or resides on a server for distribution to library terminals to be downloaded to desktop PCs, laptops or tablet PCs. The power and functionality of reading software - note-taking, highlighting and indexing capabilities, robust open searching across databases - are ultimately linked to open access issues: interoperability, text standards, and digital rights management. These remain key questions for libraries, publishers and researchers. Text-e is "the first entirely virtual symposium dedicated to investigating the impact of the Web on reading, writing and the diffusion of knowledge." Begun in mid-October and extending through March 2002, a new topic is explored every 2 weeks, initiated by an opening speech and followed-up with on-line discussions. All of the speeches, as well as the on-line discussions are archived and available for download from the Text-e website (http://www.text-e.org). The schedule of topics and speakers is as follows: "Readers and Readings in the Electronic Age"- October 15 - October 31. Speaker: Roger Chartier "What the Internet tells us about the Real Nature of the Book"- October 31 - November 14. Speaker: Roberto Casati "Skyreading and Skywriting for Researchers: A Post-Gutenberg Anomaly and How to Resolve it"- November 14 - November 30. Speaker: Stevan Harnad "Transmitting, reacting, remembering: Journalism on the Internet"- November 30 - December 14. Speaker: Bruno Patino "Personal and Professional Conversation"- December 14 - December 31. Speaker: Theodore Zeldin "Reading: The Digital Future"- December 31 - January 14. Speaker: Jason Epstein "Babel and the Vintage Selection: Libraries in the Digital Age"- January 14 - January 31. Bibliothèque Publique d'Information "Reading Without Writing"- January 31 - February 14. Speaker: Dan Sperber "The New Architecture of Information"- February 14 - February 28. Speaker: Stephana Broadbent & Francesco Cara "Authors and Authority"- February 28 - March 14. Speaker: Umberto Eco

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