Recent eBook Articles

Carlson, Scott. "Students complain about devices for reading e-books, study finds," The Chronicle of Higher Education, 08/26/02. Abstract (from article): E-book technology needs some improvement before students will be willing to use e-books instead of textbooks, according to a report on a study conducted at Ball State University.

Cleyle, Susan. "E-Books: Should we be afraid?" The Serials Librarian, 41:3/4 (2001), p. 281-292.

Hawkins, Donald T. "Electronic books: Reports of their death have been exaggerated," Online, 26:4 (2002), pp. 42-48. Abstract (from article): It is now apparent that the e-book shot missed its mark, and the e-book revolution has fizzled. Indeed, it never really got off the ground. The marketplace did not develop as originally predicted. Many players fell by the wayside, and others are now under the control of new owners. Attendance at the fall 2001 National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) e-book conference was down by 50 percent. In these respects, e-books are representative of the recent collapse of the dot-com market. But despite all the gloom and doom surrounding them, e-books are not dead. Indeed, some e-book market segments appear to be stirring to life. A few e-book companies are growing and achieving profitability. The e-book picture has become clear enough that it might even be possible now to draw some reasonably accurate predictions about the future.

Hillesund, Terje. "Many outputs - Many inputs: XML for publishers and e-book designers," Journal of Digital Information, 3:1(2002). Abstract (from article): This essay questions the XML doctrine of "one input — many outputs". In the area of publishing the doctrine says that from one book one can produce many formats and end-products. Supported by insights of linguistics and experiences of writers and editors, I shall claim this assertion to be basically wrong. By examining the main properties of XML I will further, in contrast to the doctrine, argue that XML and related technologies add to the complexity of publishing. New media, new formats and new genres will, powered by XML, lead publishers into a new and challenging state of "many outputs — many inputs".

Lynch, Clifford. "Digital Collections, Digital Libraries and the Digitization of Cultural Heritage Information," First Monday, 7:5 (2002). Abstract (from article): This paper is based on the transcript of a largely extemporaneous keynote address given at the Web-Wise 2002 Conference on March 20, 2002 at Johns Hopkins University. It has been edited, but it preserves the character of an informal talk rather than a formal paper. I have taken the opportunity to expand upon or clarify a few points, and have also added a few footnotes and pointers to additional information on some of the topics discussed. Parts of the question and answer segment that were captured as part of the transcript have also been included, though I've had the advantage of being able to reconsider some of my answers while the questioners have not had that opportunity; my apologies to them.

Lynch, Clifford. "What do digital books mean for libraries?" Journal of Library Administration, 35:3(2001), pp. 21-32. Abstract: Though only recently published, the article was written in mid-2001. The article contains many of the same issues that Lynch tackles in his First Monday article from June 2001 "The Battle to Define the Future of the Book in the Digital World."

Maynard, S & C. McKnight. "Children's comprehension of electronic books: an empirical study," New Review of Children's Literature and Librarianship, 7(2001), pp. 29-54.

OCLC White Paper on the Information Habits of College Students, "How Academic Librarians Can Influence Students' Web-Based Information Choices," June 2002. Abstract (from publication): This study concentrates on the web-based information habits of college students and their use of campus library websites, in particular, finding that college and university students look to campus libraries and library websites for their information needs. As confident and savvy users of electronic information resources, college students value access to accurate, up-to-date information with easily identifiable authors. They are aware of the shortcomings of information available from the web and of their needs for assistance in finding information in electronic or paper formats.

Renear, Allen & Gene Golovchinsky. "Content standards for electronic books: The OEBF publication structure and the role of public interest participation," Journal of Library Administration, 35:1/2(2001), pp. 99-124. Abstract (from publication): In the emerging world of electronic publishing how we create, distribute, and read books will be in a large part determined by an underlying framework of content standards that establishes the range of technological opportunities and constraints for publishing and reading systems. But efforts to develop content standards based on sound engineering models must skillfully negotiate competing and sometimes apparently irreconcilable objectives if they are to produce results relevant to the rapidly changing course of technology. The Open eBook Forum's Publication Structure, an XML-based specification for electronic books, is an example of the sort of timely and innovative problem solving required for successful real-world standards development. As a result of this effort, the electronic book industry will not only happen sooner and on a larger scale than it would have otherwise, but the electronic books it produces will be more functional, more interoperable, and more accessible to all readers. Public interest participants have a critical role in this process.

Simon, EJ. "An experiment using electronic books in the classroom," Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 21:1(2002), pp. 53-66. Abstract (from publisher's website): Electronic books are single-purpose hand-held computer devices designed to store and display reading material. The introduction of e-books into the classroom has been anticipated for years, but the technology has never quite been up to the task. This article will describe an experiment in which e-books were distributed to college introductory biology students in place of the traditional textbook. Student responses to anonymous questionnaires showed that the e-books were easy to use and offered several advantages over traditional texts. Data will be presented on initial learning curves, reading habits of e-book users, advantages and disadvantages of the electronic format, and overall levels of satisfaction. While some shortcomings were revealed, the results of this study suggested that students who used an e-book were eager to adopt this new technology on a larger scale.

Summerfield, Mary; Carol Mandel & Paul Kantor. "Perspectives on Scholarly Online Books: The Columbia University Online Books Evaluation Project," Journal of Library Administration, 35:1/2(2001), pp. 37-60. Abstract (from publication): The Online Book Evaluation Project at Columbia University studied the potential for scholarly online books from 1995 to 1999. Issues included scholars' interest in using online books, the role they might play in scholarly life, features that scholars and librarians sought in online books, the costs of producing and owning print and online books, and potential marketplace arrangements. Scholars see potential for online books to make their research, learning and teaching more efficient and effective. Librarians see potential to serve their scholars better. Librarians may face lower costs if they can serve their scholars with online books instead of print books. Publishers may be able to offer scholars greater opportunities to use their books while enhancing their own profitability.