Evaluating EReaders for Academic Libraries

Academic libraries are currently questioning whether or not to invest in mobile EBook readers to increase access to electronic books (EBooks). While academic libraries decide how to increase access to EBooks, and where to build EBook collections, the focus on “convenience” often overrides a deeper conversation on how a fast, large-scale replacement of paper books with EBooks may affect student reading comprehension or retention of information. Although adding EBooks and EReaders would address diverse reading styles, some libraries are considering fully electronic collections without a notion of how this will affect their patrons or basic library processes. This poster session will address the strengths and weaknesses of the major EReaders on the market (Kindle, Sony EReader, Nook, and iTouch) as well as preliminary data from a study examining differences in the reading comprehension of students and anonymous individuals on their experience reading from EReaders as compared to traditional print books