2015 Charleston Library Conference

Institutionally licensed eBooks have not quite lived up to users’ needs and libraries’ expectations. Patrons accustomed to the ease of accessing eBooks purchased via commercial sites such as Amazon and Google Play are sometimes thrown for a loop when they encounter eBooks via the library’s site and the myriad restrictions that seem designed to turn users away. Libraries struggle with managing the complexities of eBook licensing and access, and staying on top of the differences between vendor platforms. Add to that the rapidly changing landscape of the ebook business landscape (rocketing STL prices, conflicting access models for ebooks on the same platform, the list can go on), and it’s a wonder libraries manage to keep up in spite of limited staff and lean budgets. EKU Libraries has developed some coping strategies and some ideas on what needs to be done to make eBooks more user-friendly.
Objective: share EKU Libraries' strategies for managing eBooks and helping patrons effectively utilize institutionally licensed eBooks for their research needs
Audience: Q&A from audience strongly encouraged; audience members encouraged to share their own strategies.