E-Books Revisited

Abstract

ABSTRACT Improvements in e-book technology, national and international digitalization projects, and a renewed interest by readers and libraries refueled attention on electronic books. To gauge the degree of their popularity among special, academic, and public libraries, the author posted a questionnaire to various library-related listservs querying respondents on their experiences with e-books, including: collection size, titles, popularity, maintenance, digital rights management problems, technology needs, promotional efforts, viability concerns, acquisition and cataloging issues. Today, special, academic, and public libraries are utilizing e-book technology to facilitate information finding as well as to expand collections while reducing costs. To maximize the use of e-books, librarians must adopt an active role in shaping the development of the technology as well as negotiate licenses and pricing models that are advantageous to all libraries.