atla conference 2013 ebooks: nuts and bolts acquisitions, cataloging, and access patsy yang, digital...

ATLA Conference 2013

EBOOKS: Nuts and BoltsAcquisitions, Cataloging, and Access•Patsy Yang, Digital Services Librarian•Matthew Thiesen, Reference & Instruction Librarian

WHY EBOOKS?•Academia• College students use laptops, iPads, Kindles,

Nooks, & other mobile devices• Commuter and online students• Students want 24/7 access to research

WHY EBOOKS?•GGBTS: 9th largest seminary in the U.S.• Multiple campuses• Online classes• Students across the U.S. and around the world

•Cost effectiveness• One copy available to all

or• Purchase multiple print copies

GGBTS IS A SEMINARY SYSTEM

Ebook Models

•Subscription Packages• Annual payment• Broad coverage• Sometimes UU/MUPO access• Low “cost” per title

Ebook Models

•Perpetual Purchases• 1-time expense, perpetual “access”• Packaged or selected content• Single or multiple copies• PDA options• Full price per title

Ebook Platforms/Vendors

•EBSCO Ebooks•Ebrary (ProQuest)•EBL (ProQuest)•Many other platforms:• Brill, Cambridge, De Gruyter, etc.•E-Reference Suites (Oxford or Routledge)

Ebook Platforms/Vendors

EBSCO Ebooks

Ebook Platforms/Vendors

Ebrary

Technical Preparation

•Start early• Customize platforms (EBSCO Admin)• Proxy server setup (EzProxy config.txt entries)• openURL linking (Serials Solutions)

Acquisitions

•Selection Criteria – What to collect?•Availability (commentaries?!?)•Vendor/Platform• Distributor (YBP), Vendor (EBSCO), or publisher?

•Access Options• 1U/SUPO or UU/MUPO?• PDA and/or loans?

Acquisitions

•ILS Issues – not created to handle E-content• Choice: no holding records for ebooks• Voyager’s Acq. module requires holding

records• Improvised workflow with tools available

Cataloging

•Decision Point—MARC Records in Catalog?• Owned or Subscribed?• Downloading/Bulk Imports• MARC Record 856 field—include proxy server

address• Vendor URL changes require 856 field updates

Discovery & Use

•Publicize!•Provide tutorials•Educate: • Faculty• Students

Discovery & Use

•Make it as easy as possible•Remember – browsing ebooks is different than browsing stacks!•Downloads & mobile use•Be ready for questions!

PDA

•GGBTS Pilot PDA Project• EBSCO’s ECM• Small batch (100) of selected titles

•Preliminary Results• More complex than expected• Some workflow issues• Business Office issues (pre-paid account?)

Record Keeping

•Spreadsheets• System administration• Workflow

•Evaluation• Usage Statistics• Annual Meeting

Record Keeping

Common Problems

•Access Issues• Title not in A-Z list• Vendor adds titles without notice• Unannounced platform “updates”• Varying customization options

•Cataloging Issues• Making ebooks visible to patrons (EDS issues)

Benefits

•Immediate access, regardless of physical location•Single or multi use on many titles•Fulltext searchable•Download or print sections•Download whole book for limited period•PDA allows patrons to participate in collection development

Drawbacks

•Vendors• Too many platforms!• Market still in flux – shifting models• Link on course website or CMS?

•Ethics• Ownership vs. subscription/access• ILL lending?

Drawbacks

•Usage• No “Reserves” option (yet)• E-reading issues• Print preference

•Pricing• List prices for ebooks• Many sales for print books (20-60% off!)

The Future?

•More/better theological resource availability?• Commentaries!!!• Equal representation across denominations

•Reserve options?•Discounts and/or sales on ebooks?•Integrative platforms?•Preservation for ebooks (LOCKSS?)?

Questions

Contact Information

Patsy YangDigital Services Librarian

Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary

patsyyang@ggbts.edu360-882-2179

Matthew ThiesenReference & Instruction

LibrarianGolden Gate Baptist

Theological Seminarymatthewthiesen@ggbts.edu415-380-1663