Response #1
>From Patsy Yang <Patsy_at_nwbaptist.org>
Subject RE: Ebook enthusiasm?
Hi John,
I can't help but respond to this with some anecdotal remarks. My caveat is that
we are a graduate school with a median student age around 35. I am the digital
services librarian and work with all of our eresources and vendors. A few stories:
1. the student who requested a print copy of a book in one of the ATLA
Historical Monographs collections, because 'it's easier to read in print--my
eyes don't get tired as fast.'
2. the student who emailed me a catalog item record for an eresource asking 'how
do I get to this?' The record had a well-marked link to the eresource in it
(from library staff perspective, at least).
3. the student who found a great ebook for their research, but instead of
downloading it on to their computer, requested it via ILL, again, 'because it's
easier to read in print.'
On the other hand, students with low-vision or other physical limitations
appreciate ebooks because they can enlarge the text, have the interface read
them out-loud (some vendors), etc.
Whenever I work with students using ebooks, I remind them that while most of the
vendors have the same bells & whistles, their interfaces are different, so
'remember to look around the page if you can't find something.'
I think it will take another 10 years or so before college and graduate students
are completely sold on ebooks. Part of that depends on the degree the student is
pursuing. There are relatively few ebooks matching our curriculum needs,
especially in the areas of biblical studies, theology and church history.
Sciences, on the other hand, have a much larger collection of ebooks to choose from.
Our institution's president mentioned at a lunch a few days ago that there are
some elementary schools that have gone paperless, doing everything on iPads or
other computerized systems, and using ebooks only. When those students get to
college, they'll expect the same there. If we don't stay ahead of current
students' needs and expectations, I don't think we'll be ready when those that
do expect everything to be available online show up in our classrooms and libraries.
Thanks!
Patsy Yang
Regional Campus Librarian
GGBTS--PNC
Vancouver, WA
98682
Received on Sun Nov 18 2012 - 03:01:09 EST