Comparing print and ebooks for collection development purposes

Kathy Faubion

Haugh, D. (2016). How do you like your books: Print or digital? An analysis on print and e-book usage at the graduate school of education. Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship, 28, 254-268. doi:10.1080/1941126X.2016.1243868

Descriptive Summary: This study was done to evaluate digital resources in a graduate academic library. As the amount of print materials purchased are decreasing and access to digital subscriptions is increasing, it is important to know what users want and will use. The study finds that both print and digital are still relevant. Libraries don’t need to have physical materials on all topics anymore, but they do need to make sure that access to electronic materials is reliable and accurate. Ebook use is also increasing in academic settings, though more slowly than database use. However, the study seeks to find how much and how well the growing digital collection is used. For budgetary purposes, it is important that no resource is superfluous. The study compares print and digital ebooks: How often they check out and how much they cost. The study notes that the user wants information on-demand, and electronic materials are always accessible and easily searched. However, drawbacks to ebooks include how many copy licenses can be purchased and how many concurrent users are allowed. The question to be answered is not how much digital access is offered in a purchased package, but how much digital access is being used by the patrons? The study concludes that digital additions should be patron-driven. If a resource is not used often by patrons, then it will be cheaper to keep a print copy over paying for digital access. If the resource is used frequently and concurrently, then it may be more cost-effective to purchase digital copies so long as the turn away rate isn’t too high. The study says a careful comparison of patron usage of print vs. digital is needed to be sure that budgets are being allocated efficiently for each format.

Evaluation: After reading this study, I would like to see something similar done in my public library.  We have the usage statistics, but a direct comparison of how much print and digital are used would help with efficient materials budget allocation.

Keywords: collection development, ebooks, books in print, digital acquisitions, materials budgeting

50:50 by 2020

Zatko, Ruzena

Lodge, D. (2015). ‘50:50 by 2020’. Australian Library Journal, 64(3), 165-167.

doi:10.1080/00049670.2015.1041217

Summary:

In this article, Damien Lodge discusses patterns in the future of eBooks and eReaders. Lodge is currently a lecturer at Charles Strut University and previously served as President for Australian and Library Information Association (ALIA). Although the article is title 50/50 by 2020, the conclusion ends that the ratio of eBooks vs prints will most likely be 20:80.

The article is informative on statistics of eReaders from 2010 to present. The results show that from 2010 (when eReaders started to take off) the trend has since slowed down and the purchase of readers is becoming more stagnant. Lodge also mentions that major publishing companies are working with libraries in terms of receiving discounts with eBooks.

Evaluation:


            Lodge demonstrated some great points in the future of electronic readers and books, and whether libraries and us print enthusiasts should be concerned. The article covered the pros of eBooks that were mentioned, such as requiring less space, fewer staff, and the savings in budget. Also, an interesting observation is Lodge realizes that eBooks are turning into another format offered at libraries (such as hardcover, audio, etc.) instead of a replacement of print books. On that note, it would be interested to hear other librarians’ feelings about this and if they really care for the perk of less space and staff since this is jeopardizing job security.
           Overall, it does demonstrate that libraries in general are taking the next step to equip their library with eBook for their tech savvy patrons. What the article could have covered is approximately what percentage of libraries are frequently working with publishers and taking advantage of the offers. Also, if and what percentage of libraries still don’t offer eBooks for whatever reason.