This document summarizes Denise O'Shea's presentation on eBooks, eReaders, and their impact on libraries. It provides an overview of eBooks and various eReader models, and discusses benefits and limitations. It also describes Fairleigh Dickinson University's eReader pilot project, which loans Kindle, Sony, and iPod Touch devices to collect student and faculty feedback. Initial survey results found the Kindle was easiest to use and most satisfying, while students preferred eTextbooks over print. The project aims to enhance the library's image and investigate eReaders' educational potential.

1. eBooks, eReaders and Their Impact on Libraries Denise O’Shea Systems Librarian & Technical Support Specialist Fairleigh Dickinson University

2. Fairleigh Dickinson University Large, private university 2 campuses in the U.S. College at Florham (Morris County, NJ) Metropolitan Campus (Bergen County, NJ) 2 international campuses Vancouver, Canada Wroxton, England 12,000 students 8,585 Undergraduates 262 Full-time faculty

3. Denise O’Shea Systems Librarian in the Office of Information Resources Technology Project leader for the FDU Library eReader pilot project Coordinates management of the ILS Interests include the exploration and application of emerging technologies and social networking tools in the library

4. A Little History eBooks and eReaders have been around a long time 1970s Project Guttenberg begins digitizing books 2000 Overdrive begins offering downloadable titles 2002 NetLibrary purchased by OCLC First eReaders appeared on the market in 1998 2007 the debut of the Kindle

5. What is an eBook? The digital media equivalent of a printed book. Accessed via computer or an eReader At least 15 different file formats Kindle, text, epub, html, pdf, mobi, prc, etc. Epub Open format – not proprietary Default standard but not everyone (Kindle) uses it There are millions of free eBooks available

6. eBook Benefits E-books are very popular with college students Available 24/7 No need to visit the library Great for last minute research Powerful search functions Costs Durability 0 time spent shelving items No check-in/check-out Flexible presentation (font, etc.)

7. eBook Limitations DRM Title availability Visual quality Sharing limitations Some users uncomfortable with digital

8. What is an eReader? A reading device with an electronic paper display. Readers: Have access to books, magazines, newspapers, blogs Can take notes, highlight and bookmark text An audio player: mp3s, audio books A web browser (some devices)

9. Different Models of eReaders Amazon Kindle Sony eReaders iPod Touch

10. eReader Benefits Convenience Weight Cost of e-book titles Additional features: Built-in dictionary Link to Wikipedia Text-to-Voice Other features Environmental factors

11. eReader Limitations Book formats and DRM Slow black and white e-ink display Highlighting, note-taking and page navigation Consumer privacy and e-book permanence

12. eReader Attributes Size Operating System Dedicated e-readers, Smartphone e-readers and other multipurpose devices E-ink or LCD Memory Connectivity Price B&W or Color

13. Amazon Kindle Features No backlight, but easy to read in direct sunlight Wireless access via AT&T’s 3G network Proprietary DRM format Support for other text formats and PDFs International wireless access (Kindle 2 only) Built-in keyboard, textbook-sized screen Text-to-speech, plus support for audio books Can store up to 3,500 eBooks

14. Sony Reader Touch Features 6-inch touch screen Can print your notes Supports the e-pub format May borrow eBooks from public libraries No wireless access (PRS-900 only) No mobile app for smart phones, it’s in the works Can store up to 350 eBooks Have to install books via USB (most models)

15. iPod Touch Features Free Kindle app from Amazon Other e-book apps available from iTunes store Synchronize device with Kindle Does everything an iPhone can do, except make phone calls: Support for video, audio, color, graphics, email, SMS text Wireless access Safari browser

16. iPad Features Excellent e-book reader More like a book – flip the pages by touch Color Large screen size On screen keyboard Accessibility built in More than an e-reader – games, Internet, audio, video, calendar, email, Twitter, Facebook, etc. No support for Flash, no multi-tasking Heavier than other e-readers

17. The Role of the Library Be better advocates for our readers no matter how they choose to consume content.Saint Petersburg College

18. Ideas for Libraries iPad as a ‘magic window’ -- Griffey Library Technology ‘Zoo’ Library as a technology incubator – NCSU A platform on which to offer popular reading – FDU Electronic Reserves – Princeton Partner with academic departments Rapid ILL

19. Issues for Libraries Compatibilty Does it work with our library e-book collections? Does it work with our catalogs? Can patrons plug them into library PCs? Can our staff assist patrons with these devices? Can libraries loan e-readers to patrons? Accessibility Battery life, durability

20. Big Issues for Libraries Costs Content licensing and DRM The landscape for e-readers is constantly changing Ebrary – Kindle – Sony – Nook – iPad – Next?

21. Issues for Patrons Access to library eBooks Software/plug-ins required Overdrive offers ePub format Compatibility with eReaders Limits to copy/paste and print Issues with annotation

22. Predictions Ebooks and etextbooks will continue to grow in popularity The iPad will help grow the e-reader market Prices for e-readers will drop Affordable color e-readers will come on the market

23. On the Horizon Copia A social network for books Blio A platform solution developed by the American Federation for the Blind and Ray Kurzweil.

24. FDU eReader Initiative A mandate from the University President A collaborative effort involving: The campus libraries The Center for Teaching and Learning with Technology (CTLT) The Office of Information Resources Technology (OIRT)

25. The Library Pilot Each library circulates: 4 Kindle DXs 4 Sony Reader Touches (PRS-600 and 700) 4 iPod Touches (2nd generation) Policies Devices may be borrowed for 1 week, with a 1 time renewal eReaders are pre-loaded with a selection of titles Borrowers are asked to participate in a survey

26. Project Expectations Investigate possible educational use of e-readers at FDU Collect feedback from students and faculty that borrow the devices: Do they like reading on the devices? Compared to other technology, are the devices ‘clunky’? Can they envision using e-readers for reading textbooks? Enhance image of campus libraries

27. The Survey Administered via Blackboard/WebCampus Response rate has been satisfactory Mix of student, faculty and staff borrowers Some patrons borrowed multiple devices for comparison purposes

28. Survey Respondents

29. Ease of use by device

30. Satisfaction by device

31. Textbook preference by user type

32. Required features for textbook use

33. Required features for textbook use

34. Project Mechanics Purchase devices and accessories Setup generic accounts with Amazon, iTunes and Sony Register, rename and configure devices Purchase and download e-book titles recommended by students and librarians Establish circulation policy in ILS Barcode and catalog devices Package devices, accessories and tip sheets for circulation Advertise availability of new service

35. Training Library staff are trained in e-reader basics Turning devices on and off Navigating the list of titles Opening and reading a book Charging batteries Borrowers are provided with 1 page tip sheets Vendor documentation is embedded on devices

36. Issues and Constraints Establishing an Amazon corporate account Use of credit cards to purchase digital content Amazon’s 1-click option Tracking number of e-book licenses Purchasing eBooks ‘on-the-fly’ 1 generic account or multiple e-reader accounts Limitations of Sony’s e-reader software Risk that iPod borrowers may not actually read anything

37. Next Steps Launch academic e-reader pilot program in Spring 2010 Continue loaning e-readers through the library Further analysis

38. Web Resources http://view.fdu.edu/default.aspx?id=7467 – eReader pilot program at FDU http://ireaderreview.com/ -- a blog about eReaders. http://mobile-libraries.blogspot.com/ -- the mobile libraries blog http://www.facebook.com/#/group.php?gid=14473239090 – eBook readers in libraries group http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/?docId-1000412651 -- conducting your own Kindle pilot http://www.slideshare.net/lisacarlucci/mobile-access-to-ebooks-at-yale -- Study on access to eBooks at Yale

39. Q&A Contact info: oshea@fdu.edu