Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

Presented byMelissa Elrod and Annette Williford

Louisiana Library Association ConferenceMarch 13, 2009

Baton Rouge Capital Hilton

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

The Evolution of the book

Made from Clay to wax To papyrus To vellum To cloth To paperStored as tablets, scrolls, and folioisBound in horn, leather, cloth, and paper

So what’s next?

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

“ The wide-scale use of the mature e-book will have a more profound—and far more sudden—effect on the role of the librarian than the invention of the printing press.”Doug Johnson, 2004

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

What is an ebook?

Books in digital formPlaced on a server or on the internetAccessible by one or manyPublic domain, purchased, or subscribed to

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of EbooksTypes of ebooks

• Ebook on cdrom• Downloadable ebook *

o via the internet, to be read on a computer

o in PDF or Acrobato special ebook software

• require a special ebook reader

*free or for a fee

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of EbooksAdvantages of ebooks

Reference• Easy and convenient access• Multiple users at the same time• Not necessary to be in the library to

access• Available 24 hours a day• Provides access to more titles than

are affordable in print

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

Advantages of ebooks

Ebooks are lastingNo need to replace Do not go out of printNot heavyDo not take up space

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

Disadvantages of ebooks

Delivery of information variesPrinting of information variesTypes, formats require software and hardwareAnnual payment of licensing feeCheck archival rightsKeep the print version?

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

Implications for School Libraries

Collection DevelopmentFundingReading comprehensionChange Physical spaceToolsJobs

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of EbookseBooks in the classroom

Foreign Languagewww.icdlbooks.org    Spanish speaking  countries    French Monuments Science    Global warming    Endangered Species    Diseases    Engineering     

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

eBooks in the classroom

Social Studies    American Decades    Roles of Government    Countries and cultures    World History

    

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

eBooks in the classroom 

Literature    Ancient Rome    Shakespeare    American writers    British writers    Author studies    Settings - country           

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

Personal experiences with ebooks

Gale virtual Reference LibraryFollett ebookPublic Domain

Getting Virtual in the High School Library :

The Pros and Cons of Ebooks

For more information about the Cengage ebooks

     Calendar of events for Cengage