Post 3: eBooks

Locate two articles about implementing eBooks in libraries. Compare and contrast the content of the articles. Summarize the key points of each article. Share your own opinions about the benefits and drawbacks of using eBooks in libraries. Don’t forget to include a reference for the article at the end of your post.



The article, “eBooks and Literacy in K-12 Schools,” is about skills and strategies students need to learn to be able to use e-readers and read e-books. The article, “eBooks – Ready for school libraries?,” is about the advantages and disadvantages of having e-readers accessible to students in a school library. Both articles offer information that is important to anyone trying to implement e-readers and e-books in their library. The first article stresses the need to change the reading literacy pedagogy to facilitate the use of these devices. In print books you are taught to read left to right, top to bottom and then turn the page. All of that is true for e-readers with the exception of turning the page. Most e-readers just require you to scroll down, instead of turning the page. That is an example of the different strategies that students need to know. The second article speaks of the advantages and disadvantages of e-readers. There are a few advantages that students can benefit from. For example, some e-readers have a speaker so the students can listen to the book. Also, there is a function for enlarging text, and of course the potential of having an immense amount of books in one, is also a plus. There were two disadvantages stated: the first was that a credit card could be linked to the e-readers and anyone (including students) could purchase e-books at any time. The second disadvantage was that an e-book could not be transferred from one device to another. If your library bought 5 e-readers, you would have to purchase 5 of the same e-books.



My opinion is that e-readers/e-books should be purchased and be available to students. Students should be able to access this new technology because it is here to stay. It is not to say that e-books will replace print books, but they will co-exist. Also, because it is a novelty item, e-books are instant engagers for students. It is easier to get a student excited about reading with an e-book than a traditional book. While I support the use of e-books, there should be some guidelines to make sure the e-books are properly used. Examples of guidelines could be that e-books can only be used in school, away from food and beverages and used with clean hands. The specifics of the rules can be left up to the instructor, but the guidelines should definitely exist.



Felvégi, Emese and Matthew, Kathryn I. (2012). eBooks and Literacy in K–12 Schools. Computers in the School, 29(1-2), 40-52. Retrieved from

http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:6652/doi/pdf/10.1080/07380569.2012.651421



Pappas, Marjorie. (2009). eBooks-Ready for school Libraries? School Library Monthly, 26(2), 48-52. Retrieved from

https://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2307/login?url=http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2175/pqdweb?did=1864812141&Fmt=1&clientId=87&RQT=309&VName=PQD