eBook Advantages over pBooks  
© Charlotte Johnson 2/02

Positive attributes noted by users and librarians:

·   clicking is easier than page-turning

·   you can customize the viewing experience (enlarge font size and style, change   orientation on device, modify screen contrast)

·   soon you will be able to change to audible and have text read to you

·   they are easily searchable (specific terms, definitions, chapters), often by just clicking on a keyword within the text

·   the potential to add multimedia (graphics, audio, video) and hyperlinks to other information, including your own reference materials

·   you can acquire titles almost instantly via the Internet, including those that are backlisted or out-of-print, and thousands that are in the public domain

·   bookmarks stay where you put them

·   hands-free use when eating lunch

·   you can read in the dark

·   Versaware’s 1/3/01 survey of students in 63 colleges in 22 states found that 87% believe eBooks are more interesting than pBooks because of their convenience and added features like hyperlinks and audio/video possibilities

·   bookmarking, highlighting and annotating capabilities

·   Columbia University Library surveyed faculty in 1999 and found that they liked searching across a complete book or  a complete collection and browsing when paging was smooth and tables of content lead straight to chapters 
and graphics

·   a recent survey of librarians found that they liked the just-in-time acquisition and purchasing of one digital format that can also become large-print and possibly 
audio format

·   a NY library study found that users experienced no discomfort in their use

·   great portability of reading devices, particularly PDAs

·   most reading devices hold multiple titles (the eBookMan at 16 MB holds 40 eTexts)

·   most users prefer single page displays (PDF) to scrolling (ASCII or HTML) displays

·   resolution of <72 dpi slows reading speed, but resolution of >300 is as readable as paper (Gemstar’s REB 1200 screen resolution is 97.3 dpi)

·   more eTexts are being sold with cataloging records

·   many recent titles are being published as eBooks only

·   eTexts can be modified for various reading ages, degree of violence, amount of offensive language, etc.

·   Andersen Consulting reports project 10% of all book sales by 2005 will be in eBook format (1/3 of these will cut into pBook sales)

·   they allow for easy self-publishing, and limited-edition print runs

·   they require less library space, shelf reading, inventory time, weeding, repair 
and replacement