All About E-Readers

Sponsored by the Nebraska Regional Library Systems

Today’s Session

• Briefly talk about eReaders in general – pros and cons of “e” vs “p”

• Demo of several devices – Each has it’s own strengths and weaknesses

• Literature review– What are people writing about?

• Steps to getting started

E vs. P

What do you think?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of each format?

E vs. PE-books Print

Fragile, not fixable by user Hardy, can be easily mended

Short life span Can last hundreds of years

Fussy, need cords, batteries, charging, etc. Simple, self-contained device always ready to go

Designed for individual use Can easily be used by individuals or libraries

Can read text out loud, define words, take notes, have sound effects, link to the web

Cannot be more than printed words on a printed page

Can download new books in minutes from virtually anywhere

Have to physically go to bookstore or library during operating hours

Can hold thousands of books on one small device

Each book takes up physical space

Sony Reader PRS 300

• Simple interface• Can load books, magazines,

music and photos• Supports pdf and epub files• No internet or wireless

downloading; must connect to a computer to upload files

• Works with Overdrive ebooks

Sony Reader PRS 300

Nook• Navigation is a combination of

touch screen and buttons• Can load books, audio books,

magazines, music and photos• Supports pdf and epub files• Has limited internet access and

wireless downloading of new material

• Can get 3G access• Only ereader that allows “lending”• Can get a free sample of a book• Works with Overdrive ebooks

Kindle 2

• Has complete QWERTY keyboard

• Can load books, audio books, magazines, music and photos

• Supports pdf and kindle files• Has wireless downloading of

new material• Can get a free sample of book• Does not work with Overdrive

iPad

• Full touch screen• Supports color and

animation• Is much more than an

eReader• Can use iBooks app or

download apps for Kobo, Kindle and Nook

• App for Overdrive is in development

Many Many Devices…

from Wikipedia

Don’t forget mobile apps

• You can download a free eReader app for almost any smartphone

• Visit the online store of your choice to find one

• Use your phone as your eReader!

Literature Review• Barack, Lauren. “Feds Require Accessibility of eReaders in schools.”

School Library Journal Aug. 2010: 13.• Braun, Linda. “E-books: They Are Finally Really Here.” VOYA June 2010:

122+.• Griffey, Jason. “Gadgets and Gizmos.” American Libraries May 2010: 24.• Harris, Christopher. “The Future is Boundless.” School Library Journal

Aug. 2010: 12.• Rivero, Victor. “E is for Explosion: E-Readers, Etextbooks, Econtent,

Elearning, E-Everything.” MultiMedia & Internet @ Schools 1 July 2010.• Schmidt, Aaron. “Services Before Content.” Library Journal July 2010:

22.• Tenopir, Carol. “New Directions for Collections.” Library Journal 1 June

2010: 24.

Steps to “Embrace the E”

1. Be curious.2. READ!3. Get an eReader in your hands.4. Get an eReader in your library.5. Talk to other people about eReaders and

eBooks.6. Think about the future.