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Introduction. The point of departure for this paper is the twofold analogy (analogy of content, analogy of medium) between printed and electronic books, the aim being to draw attention to the usual perception of their capacities and relationships, to provide a rather detailed analysis of the outcome and sustainability of such analogies and ultimately to indicate the drawbacks involved. Method. The contextual analysis of contents of the key themes is employed; in the articulation of the conclusions, analytic and synthetic approaches are used. Results. The definitions of the e-book are not consensual or sustainable, rather reflect the current developmental phase of the phenomenon. The emphasis is placed upon changes, and continuity is ignored, and it is not seen that the possibility of analogies derives from a long historical development. While the analogy of content is sustainable, for it implies the reproduction of the same discourses in different media, analogy of medium is not, for the interactive capacities permitted by the printed and the electronic medium are different. Conclusions. The e-book discourse has to be expanded by understandings drawn from cognate areas such as book history, publishing studies and in general by those from the extremely useful insights employed in the cultural-historical approach, for all the media functioning in any given period coexist and affect each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This paper reports on a study of e-books issues in academic libraries in two European countries representative of small language markets -- Sweden and Lithuania. Method. Questionnaire surveys, using the same instrument, were carried out in Swedish and Lithuanian academic libraries. Analysis. Quantitative analysis was performed using the descriptive statistics capability of SurveyMonkey. Results. The survey's results reveal some interesting similarities and differences in the two countries. Business models for e-book acquisition in both countries show similarities -- the most popular additional model is purchase for perpetual ownership. One significant difference is that some of the Lithuanian academic librarians appear to have less direct knowledge of e-book acquisition, relying upon the Lithuanian Research Library Consortium to effect licence agreements with publishers and aggregators. Another significant difference is that academic libraries in Lithuania have a higher degree of access to e-books in the national language than is the case in Sweden. Conclusion. The findings show that the factors driving adoption of e-books, is composed of somewhat different elements in the two countries. Swedish librarians regard the need to keep up with technology and access and availability as the two main forces driving adoption of e-books in academic libraries. Lithuanian librarians see economics as the mainfactor, together with technology and demand from students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The aim of the research was to increase understanding of the state of e-book production in Lithuania and collect the data about the opinions of publishers regarding the future of e-books in the country. Method. A review of similar surveys in other countries was carried out and the research method was based on Winston's model of innovation diffusion. The questionnaire to publishers was prepared using the models of book publishing and distribution or book circuit developed by Murray and Squires. Data were collected by surveying respondents using paper and online questionnaires. Analysis. A quantitative descriptive statistical analysis was carried out, while open questions were analysed qualitatively looking for emerging topics. Results. More than half of active Lithuanian publishers completed the survey. Thirty per cent of those who answered the questionnaire publish e-books, but only six publishers had published a significant number of titles. The overall perception of other actors of the book market, such as libraries, book-sellers and self-publishing authors and others is positive. They are not regarded as a threat. The publishers do not expect rapid and significant growth of e-book market in Lithuania in the near future. Conclusions. The biggest hindrance to growth is a small size of the market and the lack of an export market for Lithuanian e-books. The demand of users for portable and convenient format and the use of new technologies in the educational system are the two biggest drivers in the development of ebook production. The user preference for traditional printed book is seen as one of the barriers for further development. Lithuanian publishers regard the market of e-books as rather uncertain and do not risk high investments in it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This review of barriers to e-book use systematically identifies obstacles to engaging reading experiences. Through the use of an analytical framework, the users being studied, study setting, and methods used in previous work are described in order to identify promising areas for future research. Method. The method used is a systematic literature review which gathers data from core library databases. Explicit inclusion and exclusion criteria are identified to ensure the review is free from bias. Analysis. An analytical framework based on previous research in the areas of user studies and the barrier concept identifies common trends regarding who is being studied, in what setting, and the methods used. Additionally, physical, cognitive, social, and cultural barriers from previous research are identified. Results. User studies on e-books and e-readers commonly focus on students in the university setting and physical barriers (software and hardware) that they face while reading electronically. Many studies focus on adoption rather than use, and rarely focus on fiction reading. Conclusions. The results provide a clear picture of the character of e-book user studies. Although previous user studies on e-books are particularly useful for policy decisions about collecting e-books in libraries, they provide a limited understanding of how people actually read electronic books. Several aspects of the e-book reading experience are identified which have gone under-explored to date. Future areas for fruitful research include the incorporation of cognitive processes and social or cultural intervening factors for e-book use. Incorporating these factors may be particularly valuable outside the university, student, and library settings where user studies typically take place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. This paper aims to understand the adoption of e-books and e-readers by persons aged sixty and above. This includes an investigation into where seniors are in the stages of e-book adoption. Method. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews in a mid-size city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Analysis. Interviews were transcribed, and coded using grounded theory. Rogers's model of the innovation-decision process was used to inform the data analysis process. Results. The results show three key factors affecting adoption: longing for materiality, technology confidence, and technology exploration. While seniors are interested in ebooks and e-readers, see many benefits to their use, and are curious about how they function, the majority perceive this technology as being primarily appropriate for younger generations. Conclusion. The findings have implications for our understanding of the diffusion of innovations amongst the senior population and the development of services geared toward them. E-books and e-readers are technologies that could prove beneficial, aiding with issues related to both portability and convenience. However, e-books do not allow for the sharing of books that this population is accustomed to, and many of them are still on the fence about fully adopting this tool into their reading practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The e-book and its associated technology have emerged as a disruptive technology over the past ten years. The aim of this paper is to discuss some of the consequences of this development, based on the work of the e-books in Sweden research project. Argument. To explain the impact of the e-book phenomenon we use Winston's theory of technological innovation, with particular reference to the 'supervening social necessity', the combination of factors that turns an innovation into a marketable product. As a result of the technology all aspects of the production, distribution and use of books is affected. Sectoral and cultural variation. The e-book is having different effects in different sectors and in different parts of the world: rapid development in the USA, slower in France and Japan; rapid development in academic libraries, slower development in public libraries, from country to country. These differences suggest that one supervening social necessity may be needed to explain the divergencies. Conclusion. There is a great deal of exaggeration of the impact of the e-book, based mainly on its influence in the USA. Development in other countries is taking place more slowly and differently and in 'small language' countries like Sweden, the pace of development, except in academic libraries is likely to be slow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the highlights of the International Conference Publishing Trends and Contexts 2014, Focus: Digital Authors and Electronic Books which was held in Pula, Croaria from December 8-9 December, 2014. Topics discussed include changes that occurred in book trade and reading in Europe, the essence of modern publishing and the difference between printed and digital books. The speakers include Michael Bhaskar, Adriaan van der Weel and Sophie Noël.

Introduction. This paper provides a brief summary of the most common advantages and disadvantages of electronic books (e-books), based on the diffusion of innovation theory. The first part of this research deals with the analysis of Latvian electronic book collections available on the Internet. The second part examines the usability of e-books. Finally, the author suggests ways for more successful adoption of electronic books. Method. The research was based on content analysis and examines how three different user groups interact with e-books, using verbal protocol (as the main research method) and a questionnaire (as a secondary research method). Analysis. The following categories were used to perform content analysis of Latvian e-book collections: general information, availability, contents provision and information retrieval possibilities. The verbal protocol data and notes taken during the observation process are transcribed and compared with answers obtained from questionnaires and content analysis. Results. Content analysis shows there are at least fourteen collections of Latvian e-books available on the Internet, offering a total of 527 e-books. The results from verbal protocols and questionnaires clearly show different expectations of and requirements from e-books among different user groups. These differences are mainly based on the respondent's age and their different levels of computer skills. Conclusions. The research shows that the analysed e-books are not suitable for long-term reading. Only successful utilisation of the many e-book advantages could make them more attractive than traditional books. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article examines the availability of e-books to libraries for e-lending in five English-language countries & analysed their licence terms and prices. It mentions that the public libraries seek to fulfil a range of vital public interest missions for ensuring widespread access to knowledge, and promoting literacy and learning for cultural and literary heritage. It further reports that acquiring and lending e-books involves making copies and transmissions.

Them article talsk about the investigation of publishers' licensing practices, which affect the books that public libraries can offer for e-lending. It reports declines in literary reading due to the emergence of alternative entertainment forms, competition from literary subscription services and widespread budget cuts. It also informs about e-books and e-lending that are disruptive technologies and their lending is critical to libraries’ abilities to satisfy social objectives.

Introduction. By applying the visitor and resident framework on e-book usage, the article explores whether the concepts of a resident and a visitor can help to explain e-book use, and can help to gain a better insight into users' motivations for e-book use. Method. A questionnaire and semi-structured interviews were conducted with users of the Social Science Faculty Library, at the University of Copenhagen. Analysis. The empirical data were discussed on the basis of a modified e-book visitor and resident framework. Conclusion. The results showed that the framework can be applied to an e-book context and that it helped to investigate users' behaviour in a new light and to understand better some of the difficulties users meet when they interact with e-books. It is unclear how much the framework can be used to predict user's behaviour in relation to e-books and can ultimately prognoses usage trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Reading literature is believed to be a cornerstone of democracy and good citizenship. With a decline in book reading and an increasing e-book market, it is of importance to follow the diffusion of e-book reading. Method. Data were collected in a large-scale, mail survey of the Swedish population aged 16 to 85 years conducted in 2012. Analysis. Bivariate analysis was used to reveal groups of users with regard to demographics, book reading habits and the frequency of reading digital texts other than ebooks. A multivariate analysis was conducted to reveal the explanatory power of the model. Results. The small number of e-book readers found in the study indicates that we are at the beginning of the diffusion process. A limited number of demographic and other variables account for a significant part of the variation in e-book reading. The demographics of e-book readers differ both from traditional book readers and readers of digital newspapers and blogs. Conclusion. The penetration of reading devices in Sweden is high, which indicates a potential for e-book reading to expand and reach beyond the group of early adopters. But the development is also a question of available Swedish titles, not least in public libraries, currently the main channel for distribution to users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Our aim is to compare the advantages and problems of e-book acquisition identified in research literature to those experienced by two Swedish university libraries. Method. A literature review was used to identify the main issues related to acquisition of e-books by academic libraries. The data for comparison were collected through case studies in two Swedish universities. Document analysis, interviews and personal experience were used for data collection. Results. The main drivers of e-book acquisition by Swedish academic libraries are the perceived needs of the users. E-books are regarded as potentially useful for solving some of the problems of library service. A number of challenges and problems identified by the participants in the case studies coincide with those that were derived from the literature review. Conclusions. The problems of e-book acquisition in academic libraries seem to be common to the economically strong Western countries. University librarians see certain advantages of e-books for their users and libraries. Publishers and academic librarians expect that e-books would not lose the advantages that printed books offered to them. Hence, publishers restrict the usage of e-books to ensure revenues as if from selling individual copies. Librarians try to regain the same level of control over e-book collections as for printed materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the discussion on investigating patterns in digital audiobook and e-book circulation through Australian libraries. Topics include using bibliographic metadata, manual, and automated coding for examining major publishers, sex, nationality of authors, and popular titles and genres; and ensuring equity of access for users requiring accommodations for visual impairment, users with mobility issues, remote and regional populations.

Introduction. The market for digital children's books is growing steadily. But the options vary in terms of quality and parents looking for suitable apps for young children can get overwhelmed quickly. This study seeks to answer how families search for suitable applications and what aspects are important to them while selecting. Method. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight families who have already gained experience in the use of digital children's books. The investigation focused on children aged one to seven years. Families were asked about specific approaches during the search for and the selection of appropriate media offerings. Analysis Different coding methods were applied for data analysis and analytical memos were used throughout the research process. Results. Search strategies and various selection criteria for selecting digital children's books could be identified. The analysis indicates that these criteria relate more to external characteristics and safety or privacy issues than to content-related features. Conclusions. While the statements of the parents interviewed for selecting printed children's books confirm the results of previous studies, their approaches for selecting digital children's books are significantly different. The interviews suggest that families are still insecure about the applications and their selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]