2014 Charleston Conference Thursday, Nov 6, 3:15 PM Debbi Dinkins, Stetson University Anne Cerstvik Nolan, Brown University Library Kathleen Sacco, SUNY Fredonia

1. Why the Resistance?
Trends and Results from a
Collaborative Survey on Ebook
Usage Across Eight Academic
Institutions
Debbi Dinkins, Anne Cerstvik Nolan, Kathleen Sacco
Charleston Conference, November 6, 2014

2. Collaborating Institutions
Institution Public/Private Student FTE Graduate
Programs
Geographic
Region
Bates College Private 1800 Undergraduate
only
Northeastern US
Brown University Private 8540 PhD level Northeastern US
California
Private 4000 PhD level Western US
Lutheran
University
Haverford
College
Private 1200 Undergraduate
only
Northeastern US
Lesley University Private 3600 PhD level Northeastern US
SUNY Fredonia Public 4250 Master’s level Northeastern US
Stetson
Private 2950 Master’s level Southeastern US
University
Trinity College Private 2200 Master’s level Northeastern US

3. Wellesley Survey/Springer White
Paper
• Whitepaper published by Springer. Trends in use of eBooks.
• Surveyed students, faculty and staff in 2012 to understand the use of
eBooks
• Faculty have slightly higher acceptance of eBooks, with students a slightly
higher preference for print books.
• Faculty are more likely than students to own or plan to purchase a mobile
device (ex. Tablet)
• People who own devices often read more than a chapter of a book
Deborah Lenares, Steve Smith, Robert W. Boissy, “Springer eBooks: eBook Use and Acceptance in an Undergraduate Institution,” (2013).
http://www.springer.com/cda/content/document/cda_downloaddocument/H6593_CB_WhitePaper_ebooks_Undergraduate+Inst.pdf?SGWID=0-0-45-
1370809-0.

4. Gustavus Adolphus College
• Survey of open-ended questions to solicit how students & faculty
use print and eBooks
• Having a device had little impact on acceptance of eBook format.
Students did not like reading eBooks on computer screens.
• A majority of faculty respondents stated that they would not
encourage eBook usage over physical books in courses, citing
concerns over note taking, reading comprehension, and sharing of
information.
Gilbert, J., & Fister, B. (2014). The Perceived Impact of eBooks on Student Reading Practices: A Local Study. College &
Research Libraries. Association of College & Research Libraries. Retrieved from
http://crl.acrl.org/content/early/2014/05/29/crl14-587.full.pdf+html

5. Boise State University
• Study to ascertain the impact of eBooks and mobile devices on
student learning
• Embedded library eBooks into the curriculum and provided devices
to students to for accessing eBooks and other curriculum support
materials
• Authors concluded that the use of mobile devices and eBooks
created an environment of high student engagement and positively
impacted students’ educational experience.
Glackin, B,., Rodenhiser, R., & Herzog, B. (2014). A Library and the Disciplines: A Collaborative Project Assessing the
Impact of eBooks and Mobile Devices on Student Learning . The Journal of Academic Librarianship, 40(Issues 3–4), 299–
306. doi: 10.3163/1536-5050.102.0.006

6. Survey Instrument
• Based on the Wellesley study
• Qualtrics
• Different results for different institutions
– Collection development policies
– Device acquisition
– End to anecdotal eBook information
– Personal reading vs. eBooks for research

7. Survey Instrument
• Questions designed to engage users by
requiring different actions
• Pre-testing: survey “interesting to take”
• 15-20 minutes
• Response rates – bribery always helps
• Prizes awarded – Thank you Springer!!

8. In the past six months approximately how many eBooks did you read for your
personal reading (for example, reading a book for pleasure not related to your
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
0
1-5
6-10
11-15
MORE THAN 15
courses or research)?

9. In the past six months approximately how many print books did you read for your personal reading
(for example, reading a book for pleasure not related to your courses or research)?
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
0
1-5
6-10
11-15
MORE THAN 15

10. In the past six months approximately how many eBooks did you use for academic purposes (for
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
0
1-5
6-10
11-15
MORE THAN 15
example, doing research or preparing for a course)?

11. In the past six months approximately how many print books did you use for academic purposes
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
0
1-5
6-10
11-15
MORE THAN 15
(for example, doing research or preparing for a course)?

12. 100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Physical
Sciences
Number of eBooks used for academic use past six months
Engineering,
Computing,
Math
Social Sciences Life Sciences Humanities Studio &
Performing
arts
Business other Total
0 1 to 5 11 to 15 6 to 10 more than 15
Across all disciplines more than half of all respondents reported using eBooks for academic use
in the past six months. Highest levels of eBook use were in the sciences, engineering,
computing, math, social sciences and the humanities.

13. Select the response that best describes why you did not use eBooks for academic purposes during
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
Ebooks were not available in my
area of research or study
I chose not to use ebooks for my
research or study.
I don't have access to ebooks.
I didn't think to use ebooks.
Other.
the past six months:

14. 34% of respondents did not use eBooks for academic use in the past six
We did not include a choice for “I don’t use eBooks for academic research” but there were many
comments to that effect in the other category.
But about half of the eBook non-users stated that they “chose not to use eBooks.”
Why?
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Ebooks were not available
in the area of my research
or study.
I chose not to use ebooks
for my research or study.
I didn't think to use
ebooks.
I don't have access to
ebooks.
Other (please describe)
months. They were asked to identify why.
Business Engineering, Computing, Math Humanities Life Sciences Physical Sciences Social Sciences Studio & Performing arts

15. I chose not to use eBooks because ... (select all that apply) – Part 1
80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
I can't take notes easily with an
ebook.
I can't skim quickly through the
pages of an ebook
I can't have multiple ebooks
open at the same time while
researching or studying.

16. I chose not to use eBooks because ... (select all that apply) – Part 2
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
I don't have reading device to
read an ebook.
Print books are easier to carry
around and keep with me.
I don't like reading large amounts
of text on my computer.

17. How much of an eBook do you usually read when doing academic research or preparing
50.00%
45.00%
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
25.00%
20.00%
15.00%
10.00%
5.00%
0.00%
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
1 to 5 pages
More than 5 pages but less than a chapter
1 chapter
More than 1 chapter but less than the entire book
Entire book
for a class?

18. 70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
How much of a print book do you usually read when doing academic research or
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
1 to 5 pages
More than 5 pages but less than a chapter
1 chapter
More than 1 chapter but less than the entire book
Entire book
preparing for a class?

19. 60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
When you have to read more than 10 pages of an eBook for your research or preparing
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
I wouldn't read more than 10 pages
of an ebook
On a desktop computer
On a laptop computer
Printed out
On a tablet
On a smart phone
for a class how do you usually read it?

20. 100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Business
How much of a print book/eBook do you usually read when doing
academic research or preparing for a class?
Eng CompSci Math
Humanities
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
Studio & Perform Arts
Total
Business
Eng CompSci Math
Humanities
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
Studio & Perform Arts
Total
print book ebook
One to five pages More than five pages, but less than a chapter
One chapter More than one chapter, but less than the entire book
The entire book

21. 100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Business
Student Preference/Acceptance by Discipline
Students were asked: You are in the library doing research for a paper.
You find a book of interest and want to read at least a chapter.
Eng Computing Math
Humanities
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
preferred acceptable not acceptable
Social Sciences
Studio & Perform arts
Total
Business
Eng Computing Math
Humanities
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
Studio & Perform arts
Total
Library print book Library's ebook

22. 100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Business
Faculty Preference/Acceptance by Discipline
Faculty were asked: You are in your office doing research for a paper.
You find a book of interest and want to read at least a chapter.
Eng CompSci Math
Humanities
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
preferred acceptable not acceptable
Social Sciences
Studio & Perform Arts
Grand Total
Business
Eng CompSci Math
Humanities
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Social Sciences
Studio & Perform Arts
Grand Total
Use the library's print book Use the library's ebook

23. 80.00%
70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Which of these sites do you use to find a copy of an eBook of interest to your
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
Google or other nonlibrary search engine
File sharing sites
Free ebook collections
Online booksellers
academic research? (select all that apply)

24. 70.00%
60.00%
50.00%
40.00%
30.00%
20.00%
10.00%
0.00%
Which of these sites do you use to find a copy of an eBook of interest to your academic
Bates Brown CLU Fredonia Lesley Haverford Stetson Trinity
College/University library catalog
Public library catalog
College/University library website
research? (select all that apply) – part 2

25. EBook Functionality
1. Search within text (45% - 68% ranked very important)
2. Print section or chapter (35% - 50% ranked very important)
3. Print as much as you want (26% - 45% ranked very important)
4. Download entire book (37% - 44% ranked very important)
5. Download chapter (32% - 40% ranked very important)
6. Export notes and highlighted text (27% - 40% ranked very
important)

26. We see the highest average number of eBooks used in the humanities, the
discipline that uses the most books overall.
The ratio of e/p use is highest in engineering, comp sci, math, business and the
physical sciences. The lowest ratio of e/p use is in the humanities and studio &
performing arts.
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
Humanities Social Sciences Studio &
Perform Arts
Physical
Sciences
Life Sciences Business Eng CompSci
Math
other/multiple Grand Total
Average Number of Books Used
ebooks print books

27. How device use impacts amount read
1062 411 2345 599 108 1481
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Tablet Dedicated reading
device
Laptop computer Desktop computer Smart phone Printed out
One to five pages More than five pages, but less than a chapter
One chapter More than one chapter, but less than the entire book
The entire book
Although most users usually read eBooks on their laptop, we see that readers who use
tablets or dedicated reading devices usually read longer sections of eBooks. Readers
who print out sections from eBooks usually read much less.

28. 813 322 2115 444 97 1260 159
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Tablet Dedicated reading
device
Laptop computer Desktop computer Smart phone Print out Would not read
>10 p of ebook
How device use impacts preference
ebook preferred print book preferred
We see the highest rate of eBook preference in readers who read eBooks with tablets, and the highest
rate of print book preference in readers who read sections by printing them out, or not reading
longer sections at all.

29. Conclusions/Further Study
1. Unexpectedly, responses were similar across
institutions.
2. 15-30% of users didn’t think to use eBooks for
academic research. Do we need to do more
marketing of our eBooks?
3. Many users “chose” not to use eBooks. Need to look
further into the “why” and apply that to both
marketing and collection management.
4. Further analysis on similarities/differences between
student and faculty responses within this study.
5. Further study needed to determine why eBooks are
not more widely accepted.

30. Contact Information
Debbi Dinkins
Associate Dean
duPont-Ball Library
Stetson University
ddinkins@stetson.edu
Anne Cerstvik Nolan
Electronic Resources Coordinator
Brown University Library
Brown University
Anne_Nolan@brown.edu
Kathleen L. Sacco
Assistant Director
Daniel A. Reed Library
The State University of New York at Fredonia
kathleen.sacco@fredonia.edu