Ebooks and libraries - a missed opportunity to evolve? [ABSTRACT]
Jinfo Blog

By Matthew Solle

Abstract

Over the years, public libraries have successfully redefined themselves when new publishing media have arrived but Matthew Solle questions whether their approach to lending eBooks will jeopardise their future, and considers how further and higher education are tackling this issue.

Item

Over the years, public libraries have successfully redefined themselves when new publishing media have arrived but Matthew Solle questions whether their approach to lending eBooks will jeopardise their future, and considers how further and higher education are tackling this issue.

What's Inside:

The rise of eReading devices, typified by the huge sales of Amazon’s Kindle platform in 2011, indicates a shift away from books being physical items to virtual ones. It means that, firstly, libraries may not be supplying reading material in the format that potential users prefer and, secondly, the wide range of out of copyright material provides a wealth of reading that means you might never step in a library again. Some public library services have started eLending services but with some odd restrictions, while the JISC eBooks project is supporting the acquisition of digital content for education and research in the UK.

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