Abstract

Despite the fact that e-books have been in existence for decades in various guises and added to library collections for several years now, there has been a noticeable lack of published manuals on the subject. This is doubtless owing to the rapidly evolving nature of the market. There is now a plethora of different types of digital object that may be termed 'e-books' and a bewildering number of business and access models to match. Moreover the pace of change shows no sign of abating, but there is an increasing amount of popular interest in e-books, and what is needed is practical information to assist library and information professionals managing collections of e-books and doing their best to inform their users right now. This timely book, the first of its kind to provide a practical appraisal of e-books, aims to fill that need by addressing the key questions: Where do e-books come from and what are the key business models that support them? What needs to change before e-books become universally and easily used? What will the e-book landscape look like in ten years' time? How can you be sure you are building a good collection that your users can access easily? And what about money and budgets? This book is divided into five parts: the production and distribution of e-books; planning and developing an e-book collection; delivering e-books to library readers; engaging readers with e-books; and, the future of e-books. This book is a ready reference source for any library and information professional with an interest in e-books and their development. It is essential background reading for library managers wishing to develop an e-book collection from scratch or for those responsible for maintaining an existing e-book collection. It will also have plenty to interest publishers, who need to be aware of the issues faced by libraries managing e-book collections, and will be of great value to students of librarianship and information studies, and those on publishing related courses.
"With their excellent collection of articles from known experts in the field, the editors have really brought into sharp focus what the e-book enterprise is all about." - Program
Virginia Havergal BA(Hons) MSc MEd FIFL is a Learning Centres and e-Resources Manager for Petroc, a further education college in Devon. Prior to this role she was an e-Learning Advisor with JISC, with a particular focus on Learning Resources. Kate Price BA(Hons) MA MCLIP is Head of E-Strategy and Resources at the University of Surrey.