Student attitudes towards e-books at UW-Sheboygan, and what does it mean to us? Jeff Ellair, Library Director WAAL Conference, April 24, 2013 UWC Library Council Brown Bag, May 14, 2013
The Questions Encounters at the reference desk have indicated a student acceptance level of e-books ranging from lukewarm to resistant (mostly resistant). This has left library staff wondering if purchasing increasing numbers of e-books would be the best use of limited acquisitions funding, despite the presumed advantages that the format offers. Survey/demonstration session to determine if the anecdotal responses at the reference desk are representative of student attitudes overall. What prior experience have students had with e-books, how do they feel about them and why?
Methodology Faculty volunteers to bring classes for session 8 faculty, 16 classes, 275 students (36% of campus headcount), Feb. 2013 Split survey (Qualtrics) and demonstration: EBSCO ebooks (current holdings/vendor/access) Nook and ipad
1. How many semesters have you attended UW-Sheboygan, including the current semester? Answer Response % 1 50 18% 2 118 43% 3 25 9% 4 52 19% 5 or more 30 11% Total 275 100%
2. What is your age? 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 50% (Age 22+ : Enrolled=38%, Survey=27%) freshman/sophomore campus 37% 50% 2 lower HS quartiles 21% 22% 11% 13% 9% 8% 7% 5% 8% 4% 2% 2% 14-17 18-19 20-21 22-24 25-29 30-39 40+ Survey n=275 Enrolled n=770
3. 4. Device ownership or easy access, and frequent use. 80% 75% 73% (56%, n=154, have no tablet or ereader) 68% 70% (100% have laptop or desktop or tablet) 60% 49% 50% 40% 30% 21% 20% 14% 13% 13% 11% 9% 9% 10% 6% 6% 5% 6% 4% 3% 3% 2% 1% 1% 0% Own/ access Use often
5. Do you have high-speed Internet access at home? Answer Response % Yes 251 91% No 18 7% Not sure 6 2% Total 275 100%
6. Do you have Wi-Fi access at home? Answer Response % Yes 256 93% No 14 5% Not sure 5 2% Total 275 100% * 4% (n=10) replied both No to high-speed Internet and No to Wi-Fi.
7. Have you ever used e-books from UW-Sheboygan? Answer Response % Yes 16 6% No 254 92% Not sure 5 2% Total 275 100%
8. Was your use of e-books from UW- Sheboygan a positive experience, such that you would use e-books again? Answer Response % Yes 15 94% No 1 6%
9. What are the main reasons why you haven t used e-books from UW-S? Answer Response % Didn't know we had e-books 169 67% Never needed to find books or e-books resources for my class assignments 115 45% I prefer to use printed books or other sources instead 82 32% Didn t want to take time to figure out e-books 34 13% Never found any e-books for my topic 24 9% Didn t know if my instructor would accept e-books as a reliable source 15 6% Wasn t sure if I had compatible equipment to use the e-books 12 5% Couldn t get the e-books to work properly 1 0% Other: (don t know what e-books are) 6 2%
10. Have you ever used e-books from anywhere else (high school, public library, individual purchases, friends/relatives, etc.)? Answer Response % Yes 78 28% No 177 64% Not sure 20 7% Total 275 100%
10a. Have used e-books from elsewhere: percent of each age group 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% 45% 45% 28% 31% 27% 22% 22% All 18-19 20-21 22-24 25-29 30-39 40+
11. For what purposes did you use these e-books (from high school, public library, individual purchases,... Answer Response % (n=78) % (n=275) Leisure reading 57 73% 21% Schoolwork--assigned reading or course textbook Schoolwork--source material for research paper or project 32 41% 12% 20 26% 7% Last question before EBSCO ebooks demonstration
12. If you found both a relevant printed book and a relevant e-book in your search for resource material, which would you be more likely to use, and why? Answer Response % Printed book 114 41% e-book 62 23% Equally likely to use either format 99 36% Total 275 100%
12b. Percent of previous ebook users/non-users and tablet/ereader owners/non-owners who would use ebooks 30% 26% 29% % that would use ebooks 25% 20% 15% 10% 21% (64%) (28%) 18% (56%) (44%) No Yes 5% 0% Previously used ebooks elsewhere? Have tablet or ereader?
12b. Would use ebooks; own a tablet or ereader; and used other ebooks: by age 60% 55% 50% 40% 44% 45% 45% 43% 42% 40% 45% would use ebooks 30% 23% 28% 22% 31% 28% 27% 22% 27% own tablet or ereader 20% 10% 14% 13% 6% 9% have used other ebooks 0% All 18-19 20-21 22-24 25-29 30-39 40+
12a. Would use printed book. Why? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=114; 41%) Prefer reading from paper, not computer screen 23 20% Printed books are easier to maneuver around and do what you want with them (e.g. note-taking) 20 18% It s what I m used to 17 15% I don t have an ereader or Internet access everywhere; I can use a print book anywhere Don t have to rely on technology which is sometimes unreliable 15 13% 15 13% Easier to check-out, or for longer loan period 5 4%
12b. Would use e-book. Why? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=62; 23%) Wouldn t have to carry around lots of physical books 14 23% Can easily access at home or elsewhere without going to the library 11 18% More convenient, easy to access (no detail provided) 10 16% Good highlighting, bookmarking, note-taking capabilities 9 15% Easier/faster to search/locate specific words or sections 8 13% Won t lose or forget to return book (fines) 7 11% Easier to find; don t have to search for book on the shelf 3 5%
12c. Equally likely to use either. Why? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=99; 36%) Depends on where I m doing my research (i.e. off-campus = e-book, on-campus = printed) 11 11% Format doesn t matter as long as I get what I need 8 8% Depends on how quickly I need it (?? 1 e.g. if in a rush and need it right now, more likely to use e-book) For extended reading, I prefer print; for researching specific information, e-book might work better Print and e-book both have advantages and disadvantages (no detail provided) 6 6% 5 5% 5 5%
14. If you found only e-books via your search, which action would you be more likely to take, and why? Answer Response % Use the relevant e-books 233 85% Keep searching until I found other resources instead, or else change my topic 42 15% Total 275 100%
14b. Keep searching or change topic (don t use e-books). Why? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=42) % (n=275) I don t like reading or using books from a computer screen; want the printed book Too many steps involved in using the e-books; too difficult to use, not sure how to use 11 26% 4% 6 14% 2%
16. If in your search you found both printed books that you could borrow from another campus (which would take 2-3 days to arrive), and e-books (which you could use immediately), which would you be more likely to do, and why? Answer Response % Use the e-books for my research 169 61% Request delivery of the other campus' books 19 7% Both use the e-books AND request delivery of the other campus' books Keep searching until I found other resources instead, or else change my topic 78 28% 9 3% Total 275 100%
16c. Use e-books AND request delivery of other books. Why? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=78) E-books could give me a good start right away while I wait for printed books (preferred) to arrive So I have printed books on the way as a back-up in case my use of the e-books didn t go well Printed books can be checked-out for a longer time period 21 27% 5 6% 5 6%
Worksheet for repeat visitors: Would you be likely to use the ebooks you found through these searches if you had any future class assignments on the topic? Answer Response % Yes 37 76% No 12 24% Total 49 100% *Note: Six of the 12 No responses were from the same class and all reported extremely slow network speed during the exercise: The largest difficulty was using the Internet! It was sooo incredibly slow that it is more efficient to go find a book than wait.
Worksheet: Would not use these ebooks in the future. Why not? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=12) I prefer printed books; don t like e-books (no detail) 7 58% Find it easier/more efficient to use printed books 2 17% Too hard to read from a computer screen 1 8% Concerned about possible Internet/technical problems 1 8% Don t own an ereader or have Internet everywhere I go 1 8%
Percent that would use e-books, from each question Question % If found both relevant printed book and relevant e-book in search * (does not include the 36% who said equally likely to use either format ) 23% * If found only e-books in search 85% If found both printed books from another campus, and e-books in search * (includes the 28% who would use e-books in combination with other campus s printed books) Would use e-books found through worksheet exercise if had future assignment on the selected topic 89% * 76%
18. What do you see as significant weaknesses of the e-book format? Answer Response % Need a computer, tablet or e-book reader to use it. 144 52% More difficult to move around different parts of an e-book 99 36% More difficult to read an e-book 82 30% More difficult to mark or highlight specific information. 79 29% More difficult to download an e-book to take it with me 77 28% None; I don t see any significant weaknesses of the e-book format 41 15% Other significant weaknesses (free-text): *Only one person can check-out at the same time (n=7); *ereader device battery must be charged (n=6); *Difficult to read onscreen (5); *Shorter check-out period (4); *Relies on Internet/speed of network (4)
19. What do you see as significant advantages of the e-book format? Answer Response % Can locate and use from off-campus/don t have to come to the library to get e-books Easier to search within an e-book and find the specific information I want Can use from my e-reader, tablet or computer/don t have to have the physical books. 226 82% 173 63% 130 47% Easier to mark or highlight specific information. 81 29% None; I don t see any significant advantages of the e-book format 13 5% Other significant advantages (free-text): *Less weight to carry around (n=5); *Able to look it up online and use it right away (2)
25. If you could check-out an e-book reader device from campus, would you be more likely to use e-books? Answer Response % Yes 110 40% No 79 29% Not sure 86 31% Total 275 100%
23. Would you prefer your course textbooks to be in printed or e-book format, and why? Answer Response % Print textbooks 175 64% e-book format textbooks 100 36% Total 275 100%
23a. Would prefer course textbooks to be in printed format. Why? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=175) I can take/use them anywhere; don t have to have tech device/connectivity in order to use them I like to highlight or write notes in my text to help me study (easier to do in printed text) Don t have to worry about not having access if there are technical problems 41 23% 21 12% 19 11% Prefer to read from book, not a screen 16 9% It s what I m used to; I know how to use it 9 5% Easier to use (no detail provided) 9 5%
23b. Would prefer course textbooks to be in e-book format. Why? Answer (free-text replies) Response % (n=100) Wouldn t have to carry around so many heavy books 49 49% They would probably be much less expensive 31 31% Wouldn t have to worry about losing or damaging my textbook 6 6% Easier to search through for the info I need 5 5% More environmentally-friendly (no paper) 5 5%
26. Please provide any other (n=88; 32%) comments you have about e-books: It seems unfair that only one person can use a book at a time. This is a computer, not a library. We shouldn t have to wait for books. It only makes it more inconvenient. (7) I really like the idea but will not go out of my way to use e-books over printed books. Either way contains the information I want to see. Not a huge fan right now but I m sure my opinion could change if I familiarized myself with them better. I think if this was my only option I would adjust. I like to stick with what I know. I m not big on change. Personally I think ebooks will be very popular with other students, but for me I prefer printed books. The best thing about them would be not having to come to the library to check out a book. If you are waiting til the last minute to do a paper it would be very helpful. Overall however I think the best possible way to do it is have a mix of both.
26. (continued) Please provide any other comments you have about e-books: I love it. I really like the e-book. A lot. E-books are like a double-edge sword. They could be a good thing and they could be a not so popular device. It seems to allow people to have quick access to the materials they want which is a good thing. I think they are a really good resource and I didn t really know about them until today. I will definitely put them to use and it will allow me to get more information than I would if I were only limited to printed books. I feel it s a good idea to have them but we should not limit ourselves to them. I believe that they have the potential to be very useful, but I really don t want them to replace printed books. It would be much more useful if we could just use both.
Definitive findings Higher acceptance level of e-books according to the survey than evidenced in our anecdotal experiences Student reactions are mixed Most students don t know we have e-books Very few students have used our e-books Most students recognize the advantage of immediate, 24/7, out-of-library access of e-books (though that doesn t necessarily allay their other concerns/preferences)
Advantages of e-books from a library management perspective Purchase Colleges-wide (cost/access efficiency) No processing, shelving No lost items, overdues Demand-Driven Acquisition (DDA) potential Support students remotely, 24/7 Is there a responsibility to expose students to e-books?
Plan for moving forward short-term Stay with EBSCO ebooks for now Begin moderately aggressive purchase of e- books as part of regular selections Especially if print held at another campus Consider purchase of both e- and print for likely high-use titles Lean toward e-book for titles of uncertain use *Dependent on availability of e-book for purchase *Driven by specific e- title prices
Plan for moving forward short-term Colleges-wide approach? Consider purchasing multiple-user copies? Reconsider check-out period? Spread word about e-books holdings Website revisions to note e-books Include ebooks within OPAC campus location limit BI & new student orientation: at least brief mention Faculty survey & share student results
Plan for moving forward short-term Strive for proactive instruction on how to use Faculty assistance needed: increased BI time, or out-of-class assignment with instructional video and/or worksheet Monitor usage Anecdotally See if/how e-book usage statistics increase Compare usage of print and e- where both formats owned Turnaway statistics E-book readers/tablets for check-out??
Plan for moving forward short-term Budgetary impact No discount from list prices (vs. 30% avg. discount for print, i.e. + $8000 in budget) No lower-cost paperback option, as often Possible multiple-user e-copies Currently avg. 700 new book purchases/yr. ($19k) But greater access Colleges-wide Investment to assess for future decisions Sample purchase orders study
72 # of titles (2 sample purchase orders) $2,605.79 total list price $1,915.01 total discount price paid 27% avg. percent discount on print orders 34 # of titles available as a 1-user ebook 47% titles available as a 1-user ebook 18 # of titles available as a 3-user ebook 25% titles available as a 3-user ebook 15 # of titles available as an Unlimited-user ebook 21% % of titles available as an Unlimited-user ebook 18 # available as a 1-user ebook @ price 100% of list price (for cheapest binding) 25% available as a 1-user ebook @ price 100% of list price (for cheapest binding) [high as 694%] 9 # available as a 3-user ebook @ price 150% of list price (for cheapest binding) 13% available as a 3-user ebook @ price 150% of list price (for cheapest binding) [high as 812%] $1,088.80 total discount cost for print, for those avail as 1-user ebooks $2,584.80 total cost for ebooks, for those available as 1-user ebooks 237% cost for the 1-user ebooks as a % of the discount cost for print 334% cost for the 3-user ebooks as a % of the discount cost for print $686.80 total discount cost for print, for those avail as 1-user ebks @ 100% price of list $882.00 total cost for ebooks, for those avail as 1-user ebks @ 100% price of list 128% cost for the 1-user ebooks as a % of the discount print cost, for those 100% price of list $429.71 total discount cost for print, for those avail as 3-user ebks @ 150% price of list $809.73 total cost for ebooks, for those avail as 3-user ebks @ 150% price of list 188% cost for the 3-user ebooks as a % of the discount print cost, for those 150% price of list
average annual expenditures for new book purchases $19,000 $20,500 average annual number of new book titles purchased 700 average cost per title $27.14 starting budget FY14 (acq $ +5%) rem budgt titles @ 27 total print & ebk titles average cost * 237% $64.33 cost 47% of 700 titles (all those avail as 1-user ebks) 329 *64.33 $21,164 -$664 average cost * 128% $34.74 25% of 700 titles (all those avail as 1-user @ 100% list $) 175 *34.74 $6,080 $14,420 531 706 average cost * 188% $51.03 13% of 700 titles (all those avail as 3-user @ 150% list $) 91 *51.03 $4,644 $15,856 584 675 average cost * 128% $34.74 other 12% of 700 (avail as 1-user @ 100% list $) 84 *34.74 $2,918 $12,938 477 652
Plan for moving forward longer-term Monitor UW-System-wide developments Explore DDA options Explore other vendors Re-survey students
Questions/Discussion I d be happy to share any of my files or answer additional questions jeffrey.ellair@uwc.edu 920.459.6679