Promoting your e-Books: Lessons from the UK JISC National e-Book Observatory

Lonsdale, Ray and Armstrong, Chris Promoting your e-Books: Lessons from the UK JISC National e-Book Observatory. Program : electronic library and information systems, 2010, vol. 44, n. 3, pp. 185-206. [Journal article (Paginated)]

[img]
Preview
PDF
LonsdaleArmstrong-NeBO-Program-article1.pdf

Download (340kB) | Preview

English abstract

Purpose – This paper describes the findings from the qualitative strand of the JISC National e-Book Observatory (2007-2009), relating to the promotion of e-textbooks in UK universities by the library, academics and publishers. A complementary article on the ways in which students and academics locate e-books provided by their library will appear in a future issue. Design/methodology/approach – Following the provision by the JISC of collections of e-textbooks, the project used deep log analysis, benchmark surveys and focus groups to develop a rich picture of library e-collection management and use by students and academics. Focus groups were undertaken with library staff, academics and students; the dialogues were transcribed and analysed using NVivo7 software. Findings – The qualitative studies found that libraries were using a range of promotional tools although these were not always finding their targets. Often libraries had no formal promotion strategy for e-resources. Although little in evidence, the value of academic commitment and promotion was emphasised. Promotion by publishers and aggregators is both to libraries and directly to academic staff. Students felt that they were largely unaware of promotion beyond the presence of e-books in the catalogue, and in some cases stated explicitly that they thought more should be done to promote library e-resources to them. Practical implications – The paper offers pragmatic guidance on promotional methodologies. Originality/value – The project describes the first major, national usage study of e-books in higher education. This paper contributes significantly to the literature in discussing the importance of promoting e-books to students and staff.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: electronic books; promotion; academic libraries; usage; JISC; NeBO
Subjects: C. Users, literacy and reading. > CD. User training, promotion, activities, education.
H. Information sources, supports, channels. > HO. e-books.
Depositing user: Chris Armstrong
Date deposited: 16 Sep 2010
Last modified: 02 Oct 2014 12:17
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/14892

References

Abdullah, Noorhidawati and Gibb, Forbes (2008), “Students’ reactions towards e-books in an university library collection”, The International Journal of the Book Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 107-112.

Appleton, Leo (2005), “Using electronic textbooks: Promoting, placing and embedding”, The Electronic Library Vol. 23 No. 1, pp. 54-63.

Armstrong, Chris and Lonsdale, Ray (2005), “Challenges in managing e-books collections in UK academic libraries”, Library Cataloguing, Acquisitions, and Technical Services Vol. 29 No. 1, pp. 33-50.

Armstrong, Chris and Lonsdale, Ray (2009a), E-book collection management in UK universities: focus groups report, Information Automation Limited, Final Report, November 2009, London: JISC Collections, available at: www.jiscebooksproject.org/reports (16/02/2010)

Armstrong, Chris and Lonsdale, Ray (2009b), E-book use by academic staff and students in UK universities: focus groups report, Information Automation Limited, Final Report, November 2009, London: JISC Collections, available at: www.jiscebooksproject.org/reports (16/02/2010)

Armstrong, Chris; Lonsdale, Ray and Nicholas, David (2006), “SuperBook: Planning for the e-book revolution”, Library + Information Update Vol. 5 No. 11, pp. 28-30.

Beall, Jeffrey (2009), “Free books: Loading brief MARC records for open-access books in an academic library catalog”, Cataloging & Classification Quarterly Vol. 47 No. 5, pp. 452 – 463.

Buczynski, James (2007), ”Referral marketing campaigns”, The Serials Librarian Vol. 53 No. 3, pp. 193-209.

Dinkelman, Andrea and Stacy-Bates, Kristine (2007), “Accessing e-books through academic library web sites”, College and Research Libraries Vol. 68 No. 1, pp. 45-58.

Estelle, Lorraine; Milloy, Caren; Rowlands, Ian & Woodward, Hazel (2009), “Understanding how students and faculty REALLY use e-books: The UK National E-Books Observatory”, presentation made at ElPub2009 - 13th International Conference on Electronic Publishing, 10-12 June, Milan, Italy, available at: http://tinyurl.com/nydegu (15/01/2010)

Gethin, Peter (2002), “Promoting the use of e-books by the use of electronic enrichment”, Liber Quarterly Vol. 12 No. 2/3, pp. 234-239.

Gold Leaf (2003), Promoting the uptake of e-books in higher and further education: a Joint Information Systems Committee Report. London: JISC e-Books Working Group.

Lonsdale, Ray and Armstrong, Chris (2008), “Aggre-culture: What do e-book aggregators offer?” Library + Information Update Vol. 7 No. 4, pp. 28-33.

Millet, Michelle S. & Chamberlain, Clint (2007), “Word-of-mouth marketing using peer tutors”, The Serials Librarian Vol. 53 No. 3, pp. 95-105.

Pan, Rosalind; Byrne, Ursula & Murphy, Hugh (2009), “Nudging the envelope: The hard road to mainstreaming UCD Library e-book provision”, Serials Vol. 22 No. 3 (Supplement), pp. S12-S22.

Rickman, Jon T.; Von Holzen, Roger; Klute, Paul G. and Tobin, Teri (2009), “A campus-wide e-textbook initiative”, Educause Quarterly Vol. 32 (2). Available at http://tinyurl.com/npm465 (15/01/2010)

Schmidt, Janine (2007), “Promoting library services in a Google world”, Library Management Vol. 28 No. 6/7, pp. 337-346.

Shelburne, Wendy Allen (2009), “E-book usage in an academic library: User attitudes and behaviours”, Library Collections, Acquisitions, and Technical Services Vol. 38 No. 2-3, pp. 59-72.

Springer (2008), White Paper. eBooks: The end user perspective, available at (pdf): http://www.springer.com/cda/content/document/cda_downloaddocument/eBooks+-+the+End+User+ Experience?SGWID=0-0-45-608298-0 (16/02/2010)

Stockton, Christine (2004) “Acquiring and marketing ebooks at University College Chester – it’s all down to teamwork and communication”, SCONUL Newsletter No. 31, pp. 16-18.

Taylor, Alison (2007), “E-books from MyiLibrary at the University of Worcester: A case study”, Program: electronic library and information systems Vol. 41 No. 3, pp. 217-226.

Thompson, Sarah and Sharp, Steve (2009), “E-books in academic libraries: Lessons learned and new challenges”, Serials Vol. 22 No. 2, pp. 136-140.

Turner, Alison; Wilkie, Fran and Rosen, Nick (2004), “Virtual but visible: Developing a promotion strategy for an electronic library”, New Library World Vol. 105 No. 1202/1203, pp. 262-268.

Urquhart, Christine, et al (2003), “Uptake and use of electronic information services: Trends in UK higher education from the JUSTEIS project”, Program: electronic library and information systems Vol. 37 No. 3, pp. 168-180.

Wilkins, Valerie (2007), “Managing e-Books at the University of Derby: A case study”, Program: electronic library and information systems Vol. 41 No. 3, pp. 239-252.

Woods, Shelley L (2007), “A three-step approach to marketing electronic resources at Brock University”, The Serials Librarian Vol. 53 No. 3, pp. 107-124.

Worden, A. and Collinson, T. (2009) Are e-books taking off? [Poster presentation], CILIP Umbrella 2009: Making connections – the power of people, partnerships and services. Conference and Exhibition 14-15 July 2009, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, 2009.


Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item