Discussion for June: e-books and the future of technical services

We had a trial with VLEbooks through Browns a couple of years ago. I purchased 3 or 4 e-books and promoted these to the relevant students and staff. Take up was very poor. E-books work out to be more expensive than physical ones as you have to purchase the platform and then the books. I was aware of the licensing issues but these tend to be covered by whatever VLE platform you use. I remember trialling e-readers when I worked in public libraries. The admin proved to be a bit of a headache and we lost quite a bit of kit (readers or chargers not being returned). Downloading onto the users own devices will obviously sort this problem out. I agree that if schools progress to e-books (non-fiction particularly) then students may need some IL sessions/guidance on how to navigate them.

7. This chapter was more difficult to read than last months. Did you find it, and our discussion, useful?

6. “Rather than e-resources being perceived as an ancillary and specialised format [ ] electronic resources will become the standard format within libraries, and the physical formats will become specialised”. This may be the case for university libraries but do you see this happening anytime soon in your school library?

5. I found it fascinating to read that students could find their way around a physical book using the index and content but struggled with an e-book version. Do we still make the wrong assumptions about students and technology?

4. Were you aware of all the licensing problems with e-books? Has this chapter helped you understand some of the issues?

3. Do you think your e-book collection currently provides value for money, if so, why/why not?

2. If you have an e-book collection is it well used? How do you promote it?

1. Do you have any e-resources in your school library? If so what do you have?