Project Abstract: The publishing industry is at the doorstep of the biggest change since the invention of the printing press - the advent of the electronic book.  Though the shift to a non-print environment has been occurring steadily, advances in electronic reading devices promise to accelerate this trend.  Electronic readers now feature paper-thin screens that can be turned like pages and can hold several volumes.  Print size is adjustable to suit the reader and books can be downloaded directly from the web at a cost lower than the print version.  Though libraries represent a major portion of the customer base of publishers, no efforts have been made to establish products and pricing mechanisms to meet the unique needs of libraries.

Project Goals:

• To explore potential partnership and licensing issues with vendors engaged in publishing or distributing electronic books in order to learn about the products and to discuss plans for serving libraries and their patrons
• To develop expertise among library directors in the Rochester region regarding electronic books and their future applications in libraries
• To test state-of-the-art electronic book hardware and software for practicality in a library setting
• To influence the products and marketing strategies (including pricing) of publishers of electronic books to reflect the needs of libraries

Evaluation: The results of this Project will be evaluated based on the following factors

• The Directors of the libraries and library systems in the region will be surveyed at the beginning and conclusion of the project to determine whether their knowledge of electronic books and related issues has increased.
• Libraries involved in the field test of electronic book projects will be surveyed to determine the validity of the test.  They will also participate in focus groups.
• End users involved in field testing electronic book equipment and content will be surveyed to determine their reaction to the products.  Questionnaires will be distributed with each electronic book lent to end-users.  These will be collected when the materials are returned.  End users will also participate in focus groups.  The results of the questionnaires and focus groups will be tabulated and incorporated into the market research report, which will be completed at the end of the project.
• The success of the project may also be measured based on the number of  librarians and library staff attending the educational forum on electronic books and the number of new contracts negotiated between libraries and vendors for the purchase of electronic books based on information provided by this grant.

Final Report: A copy of the grant's final report to the New York State Library is available for download in pdf format. Please note that the focus of the report is on the accomplishments of the grant in relation to its objectives and not on the actual findings of the studies conducted under the grant.

Year 2
"Electronic Book Information Exchange"
October 2000 - September 2001

Project Abstract: The publication of Stephen King's ebook-only Riding the Bullet forced many libraries to face the demand for electronic books much sooner than anticipated.  Unfortunately, the electronic book industry is a very dynamic one, with new technologies and products entering the marketplace daily.  It can be very costly and time-consuming to carefully evaluate the possible uses of each new ebook product that comes on the market.  Librarians need efficient and cost-effective means to get the information they need to assess the possible roles for electronic books in their own libraries.

This project will build upon the ebook expertise developed in the Rochester area through the FY2000 LSTA Electronic Books Evaluation Project grant to provide area, as well as statewide librarians, with current information, advice and support as they integrate ebooks into their own libraries.  The "Electronic Book Information Exchange" will strive to stay abreast of new ebook products and their uses, solicit assessments from libraries experimenting with ebooks and disseminate this information to librarians.  Building upon relationships established during the current LSTA grant, the "Electronic Book Information Exchange" will endeavor to maintain an open discourse with ebook manufacturers and publishers regarding the unique needs of libraries.

Project Goals:

• Create an electronic book information exchange to develop local expertise, and gather and share information about electronic books with regional librarians, as well as those throughout New York State
• To remain current on the latest, state-of-the-art electronic book hardware and software and their possible applications for libraries.
• To make electronic book manufacturers and publishers more aware of the unique issues involved in the integration of electronic books into libraries.

Target Population:
The target population for this project continues to be the approximately 1,000 librarians at member libraries of the three cooperating agencies:  Rochester Regional Library Council, Monroe #2 BOCES School Library System and Monroe County Library System.  It is expected that an estimated 20% or 200 area librarians will learn more about electronic books through the dissemination of information supported by this grant.

The experiences of the LSTA FY2000 Electronic Book Evaluation Project have brought to light a second segment of the population that would benefit-- the librarians of New York State.

Participating Libraries & Librarians

Evaluation: The results of this Project will be evaluated based on the following factors:

• The number of subscribers to the "eBook Newsletter" will identify, in part, how many librarians benefited from the Project's bi-monthly industry updated.
• A log will be kept of the number and type of questions that the "eBook Reference Desk" answers.
• The frequency that libraries interested in introducing ebooks consult the Project Director or Expert Panel members will measure how useful the "Electronic Book Resource Center" was to area, as well as state, librarians.
• The success of the project may be measured based on the number of ebook workshops that the Project Director is asked to give across the state.  The number of workshops and their attendants will be recorded to document what areas of the state and how many librarians benefited.
• All librarians who attend the ebook workshops provided by this Project will be asked to fill out an evaluation form.  This will help to determine their effectiveness and areas of ebook interest not fully addressed by the workshop.
• Local libraries involved in the field testing of ebook products will be surveyed to determine the validity of the test.  They will also participate in focus groups.
• End users involved in the field testing electronic book equipment and content will be surveyed to determine their reaction to the products.  End users will also participate in focus groups.  The results of the surveys and focus groups will be tabulated, published in the "eBook Newsletter" and shared with ebook manufacturers and publishers.
• The number of contacts and the information exchanged between the Project Director and Expert Panel members with the ebook industry will reveal to what extent this Project may have influenced the industry.

Final Report: A copy of the grant's final report to the New York State Library is available for download in pdf format. Please note that the focus of the report is on the accomplishments of the grant in relation to its objectives and not on the actual findings of the studies conducted under the grant.