Are You Ready for E-Readers?

Anne Behler

Binky Lush

The Sony Reader Projectat the

The Situation

Logistics:

Technical (virtual machines)

• Sony Purchasing Model• One Computer (ip)• 100 readers• 20 computers• Virtual machines

Logistics:

Cataloging

Title: Sony ebook reader

Contents in 505 field (searchable)

Authors added in 700 field (searchable)

Logistics:

Logistics:

Physical

Uses

In the Classroom

Library Lending Program

Services to Persons with Disabilities

Classrooms:

First-year Honors English Classes

English 004 Basic Writing Skills

Library Studies First Year Seminar

English Graduate Seminar

Lending Sony eBook Store Content

A great way to test the technology

User feedback survey

Lending period 4 weeks -> 2 weeks

UP and 1 campus

Fees

Breakage/abuse

Disability Services

Help for the visually, mobility or learning impaired?

Navigation challenges

Text size

Feedback

User experience surveys

Student blog entries

Video interviews

Student presentations

Informal interactions

Portability for a large library

Sleek, ergonomically friendly device

Easy on the eyes

Uni-function device

Libraries’ Perspective

Portability for a large library

Price for books

Reading more

Eco friendly

Weight (10.1 oz)

Ability to add additional content

Students’ Perspective

Battery life and charging difficulties

Slow page refresh time

Lack of interactive features

Uni-function device

No “relationship” with e-readers

Students’ Perspective

Battery life and charging difficulties

Slow page refresh time

Lack of interactive features

Uni-function device

On-demand service too cumbersome to offer

DRM

Libraries’ Perspective

What does the future hold?

Partnerships among:

educators

librarians

vendors

publishers

Content

Content, regardless of device

Conversation with vendors – ebrary, ebl

ebooks group that is evaluating ebook content and new options

Greater content flexibility=greater cost for the Library

Devices

iPhone

Smart phones

Kindle

Nook

Que

Cooler

…and more

Accessibility

Can’t forget accessibility

Law suit afb vs Arizona State University

PSU’s discussion on accessibility

Are you ready for E-readers? E ≠ Paper

Format vs. function challenges

Nostalgia

E-book will never feel like a “real book”

Balance between paper and e-readers

Changing expectations

Developments in content and devices

Partnerships with content providers

Sony Project:tinyurl.com/psulsony

White Paper:tinyurl.com/psulsony7things

Contact:

Anne Behler – behler@psu.edu

Binky Lush – binky@psu.edu