Librarian's eBook Newsletter

Recent eBook Articles

Dearnley, James and Cliff McKnight. "The Revolution starts next week: the findings of two studies considering electronic books," Information Services & Use, 21:2, 2001, pp. 65-78. Abstract (from publication): "This paper reports on two pilot studies undertaken in May and December 2000 at Loughborough University and Market Harborough public library. The first study... considered student and staff evaluation of two electronic reader products--NuvoMedia's Rocket eBook and Glassbook Inc's Glassbook. A second study...used a focus group... to consider potential usage of the Rocket eBook for lending services."

Hutley, Susan, Mylee Joseph & Pam Saunders. "Follow the eBook Road: eBooks in Oz Public Libraries," from Australian Library and Information Association 2001 Public Libraries Conference papers. Overview of ebook usage in public libraries in the US and Australia, with some predications on how ebooks may be integrated into public libraries over the next few years.

Maynard, Sally & Cliff McKnight. "Electronic Books for Children in UK Public Libraries," The Electronic Library, 19:6 (2001), pp. 405-423. (available online to subscribers). Abstract (from publication): "This article describes a survey investigating the opinions of children's librarians on the subject of electronic books. A questionnaire was sent by post to those responsible for public library services for children at each of the 208 local government authorities in the UK. The response rate was 77 per cent. Notable conclusions include the fact that there was a positive attitude towards including electronic books as part of the children's library service, and a high proportion of libraries offered access to them, the majority through main libraries. A small majority of libraries were offering electronic books for reference use within the library, rather than lending them out like printed books. Many of the librarians believed that electronic books can attract new members to the library, and that offering electronic books will change their role. Respondents believed that electronic books are durable, and can exist alongside the printed items within the library."

Poe, Marshall. "Note to Self: Print Monograph Dead; Invent New Publishing Model," Journal of Electronic Publishing, 7:2 (2001). Abstract (from publication): "Marshall POE wrote a monograph on the Duma Ranks, the Russian elite of the seventeenth century. He knew that no more than 200 people would read it, ever. So he published it himself, electronically. In this JEP article he tells how anyone can do the same. Self publishing is, of course, the ultimate content management."

Rogers, Michael. "Oprah, Bill Gates and the Future of Books: Lessons from the Premature Birth and Death of the E-Book," Newsweek (online version), 1/22/02

Rothman, David. "Useful Lessons from the South Side of Chicago," TeleRead Update 19, November 2001. Abstract: Report on the use of ebooks by elementary children in St. Elizabeth's Parochial School in Chicago. Project used a $7,000 federal grant to purchase Rocket eBook devices.

>Against the Grain, Vol. 13, Issue 6 (Dec '01-Jan '02) contains the following ebook articles (abstracts are taken from the publication):



	Table of Contents > Regular Columns

	Recent eBook Articles Dearnley, James and Cliff McKnight. "The Revolution starts next week: the findings of two studies considering electronic books," Information Services & Use, 21:2, 2001, pp. 65-78. Abstract (from publication): "This paper reports on two pilot studies undertaken in May and December 2000 at Loughborough University and Market Harborough public library. The first study... considered student and staff evaluation of two electronic reader products--NuvoMedia's Rocket eBook and Glassbook Inc's Glassbook. A second study...used a focus group... to consider potential usage of the Rocket eBook for lending services." Hutley, Susan, Mylee Joseph & Pam Saunders. "Follow the eBook Road: eBooks in Oz Public Libraries," from Australian Library and Information Association 2001 Public Libraries Conference papers. Overview of ebook usage in public libraries in the US and Australia, with some predications on how ebooks may be integrated into public libraries over the next few years. *Maynard, Sally & Cliff McKnight. "Electronic Books for Children in UK Public Libraries," The Electronic Library, 19:6 (2001), pp. 405-423.* (available online to subscribers). Abstract (from publication): "This article describes a survey investigating the opinions of children's librarians on the subject of electronic books. A questionnaire was sent by post to those responsible for public library services for children at each of the 208 local government authorities in the UK. The response rate was 77 per cent. Notable conclusions include the fact that there was a positive attitude towards including electronic books as part of the children's library service, and a high proportion of libraries offered access to them, the majority through main libraries. A small majority of libraries were offering electronic books for reference use within the library, rather than lending them out like printed books. Many of the librarians believed that electronic books can attract new members to the library, and that offering electronic books will change their role. Respondents believed that electronic books are durable, and can exist alongside the printed items within the library." *Poe, Marshall. "Note to Self: Print Monograph Dead; Invent New Publishing Model," Journal of Electronic Publishing, 7:2 (2001).* Abstract (from publication): "Marshall POE wrote a monograph on the Duma Ranks, the Russian elite of the seventeenth century. He knew that no more than 200 people would read it, ever. So he published it himself, electronically. In this JEP article he tells how anyone can do the same. Self publishing is, of course, the ultimate content management." *Rogers, Michael. "Oprah, Bill Gates and the Future of Books: Lessons from the Premature Birth and Death of the E-Book," Newsweek* (online version), 1/22/02 Rothman, David. "Useful Lessons from the South Side of Chicago," TeleRead Update 19, November 2001.** Abstract: Report on the use of ebooks by elementary children in St. Elizabeth's Parochial School in Chicago. Project used a $7,000 federal grant to purchase Rocket eBook devices. >Against the Grain, Vol. 13, Issue 6 (Dec '01-Jan '02) contains the following ebook articles (abstracts are taken from the publication): Gilbert, Miriam. "eBooks ex machina? Dispatched from the new Digital Information Order," pp. 1, 18 & 20. Abstract: "Between the hype and the hope, all of us in the information industries are now struggling to define (and redefine) a strategy for the place of eBooks in the digital environment." Franklin, Kelly. "Shot Heard 'Round the Publishing World," pp. 20, 22 Abstract: "Decades ago Marshall McLuhan raised questions of matching medium to message. Most of today's eBooks don't yet constitute a new medium: Rather they offer a new delivery mechanism fro a 500-year-old medium. But, by working together to clear the hurdles to delivery of today's print analog books through digital channels, we are building the infrastructure and market necessary to support the eventual realization of the promise of interactive digital books." Gibbs, Nancy J. "eBooks Two Years Later: The North Carolina State University Perspective," pp. 22, 24, 26. Abstract: The Libraries at NC State University began their eBook projects on a small scale; but in reality they purchased access to a large amount of materials available electronically; became very comfortable with this new technology, and were much the richer for the experience." Lynch, Mary-Alice. "Nylink's Shared Collection: A Collaborative Introduction of a New Technology," pp. 26, 28, 30. Abstract: It seems inevitable that eBooks will become a growing percentage of library acquisitions, just as Internet use has exploded in the last six to eight years." Bide, Mark & Kim Richardson. "The eBook and the National Library," pp. 30, 32, 34. Abstract: "What is the appropriate strategy for a national library in the age of the eBook? Is this an irrelevant question or is the expenditure of hundreds of millions of dollars in the provision of infrastructure and services to make books available in electronic formats a trend that will continue?" Thompson, Sherry. "Health Science eContent Distribution: The Challenges and Opportunities," pp. 34-35. Abstract: "The health services marketplace offers the opportunity to distribute not only online eBook content and PDA content, but a variety of networked digital resources as well." Lugg, Rick & Ruth Fisher. "The Host with the Most: eBook Distribution to Libraries," pp. 35-6, 38, 40. Abstract: "Some of the current confusion in the eBook market stems from competition and uncertainty over who in the supply chain (Publishers? eBook aggregators? Book vendors? EJournal vendors?) will perform which of the roles of content identification or discovery; commercial transactions involving order and payment; rights transaction that delineates use; or delivery of content to the supported reading platform(s)."

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