E Books

eBooks
How do you solve a problem like eBooks?
Shanna Caines
550
Dec. 10, 2009
scaines@eden.rutgers.edu

Some History
The idea of ebooks have been around for a long time
In 1895, Albert Robida, predicted the end of books
Gramophone or “speaking tube” would become small enough to carry around
Shanna Caines; 550; Dec. 10, 2009; scaines@eden.rutgers.edu

A speaker records a book that a distant listener may later acquire and “read” at home, at leisure
Shanna Caines, 550, Dec. 10, 2009, scaines@eden.rutgers.edu

A pocket-sized “reading device,” portable anywhere.

The automated book kiosk for “downloading” content.

“Reading” on a train-which dramatically resembles today’s plugged-in youth.

More History
In 1968, Alan Kay proposed the DynaBook
The DynaBook was never produced, but it is the forerunner to the eReaders we have today

Dynabook

More History
In the 1970s the Gutenberg Project made thousands of books available for free as digital documents
The 1990s brought the SoftBook Reader and Rocket eBook

More History
softbook

More History
Rocket eBook

More History
In 2000, Stephen King released his novella Riding the Bullet exclusively as an ebook
Over 100,000 people downloaded it

But where are eBooks now?
Despite early success, eBooks have not been as successful as was previously hoped
Why not?

What is an eBook?
There is no standard definition to what an ebook is
Possible definitions: “a digital object designed to be read on a handheld reading device or to be listened to from a speech-generating tool”
“all linear texts of some length that can be shown on a computer screen”
“electronic versions of documents already in print form
eReader

How do you use it?
There is no standard technology for reading ebooks
eReaders
Computers
iPods
Mobile phones
Various other mobile devices

Who owns it?
Publishers are afraid of losing money on ebooks
Publishers are so fiercely protective of their digital rights, there is little to no interoperability between ebook systems
Digital Rights Management is still unclear regarding eBooks

Why don’t people like it?
Difficult to read
E-paper and e-ink has made things easier, but it does not compare to a printed book
Cost prohibitive
will become more popular as the technology becomes cheaper and prices go down

Why don’t libraries like it?
Cheaper?
On the surface, ebooks seem cheaper, but if patrons do not use them, what’s the point
Difficult to implement
The business model is geared towards individual sales, not libraries

Is there hope?
ejournals are indispensible in academic libraries
computer, technology, and how-to ebooks are popular in libraries
Depending on how their implemented, some libraries have had great success with ebooks
The industry is still evolving, the future may hold much better options then are currently available

References
Armstrong, Chris, Louise Edwards, and Ray Lonsdale. “Virtually there? E-books in UK academic libraries” Program: electric library and information systems 36.4 (2002): 216-227. Web. 19 November 2009.
Bennett, Linda and Monica Landoni. “E-books in academic libraries.” The Electronic Library 23.1 (2005): 9-16. Web. 19 November 2009.
Cox, John. “E-Books: Challenges and Opportunities.” D-Lib Magazine 10.10 (2004): n. pag. Web. 19 November 2009.
Dillon, Dennis. “E-books: the University of Texas experience, part 1” Library Hi Tech 19.2 (2001): 113-124. Web. 19 November 2009.
Fowler, Geoffrey A. “E-Readers: They’re Hot Now, But the Story Isn’t Over.” The Wall Street Journal 2 December 2009: Web. 4 December 2009
Gibbons, Susan. “Ebooks: Some Concerns and Surprises.” Libraries and the Academy 1.1 (2001): 71-75. Web. 19 November 2009.
Harrison, Beverly. “E-Books and the Future of Reading.” IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications 20.3 (2000): 32-39. Web. 19 November 2000
Hillesund, Terje. “Will E-books Change the World?” First Monday 6.10 (2001): n. pag. Web. 19 November 2009.
Long, Sarah Ann. “The case for e-books: an introduction” New Library World 104.1184/1185 (2003): 29-32. Web. 19 November 2009.
Stevenson, Iain. “Harry Potter, Riding the Bullet and the Future of Books: Key Issues in the Anglophone Book Business.” Pub Res Q 24 (2008): 277-284. Web. 9 December 2009.

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