E-books: an initiative behind fast, convenient and efficient access to information?

I sat calmly, I listened attentively, I followed with kiln interest, and I knew the unknown – the eBooks. This is what happened when a guest lecturer, Ms. Renee Reagon, Director of Technical Services and Electronic Resources Management at Stellenbosch University made a presentation on eBooks on Tuesday, 13th March, 2013 at the University of Western Cape.

By critically analyzing the rich content of a well prepared and logically delivered lecture by a well knowledgeable   library professional, I join the other experts who are advocating for the full adoption of eBook technology to effectively meet the information needs of our library and information centers clients.  

The presentation enlightened me on several eBook issues with the major ones being opportunities and challenge; coincidentally, this was also the title of the lecture.

 

Being efficient, effective and convenient, coupled with advanced, sophisticated, user friendly and customizable soft wares and platforms, I find the eBook technology as an innovation that has a potential to make the job of a librarian easier, pleasant and inspirational. With the advocate for virtual libraries reaching a center stage, the eBook technology fits well because the books will no longer be housed and locked in a building limiting access to information seekers. For academic libraries, students will no longer scramble for most valuable books as they can access them anytime.

Picture courtesy of Technical Services and Electronic Resources Management: Stllenbonch University.

An early bird catches the worm.
 

The picture shows Stellenbosch University students at the library entrance waiting for the library to open so that they can scrable for the most valuable book in the library. The eBook technology is being touted to be a solution to such a problem. 

 However, I would like to warn librarians about some risks associated with the eBook technology.  Not all books are released in digital format upon their release, a situation that may deny library users an access to latest books.  Concerns on Digital Rights Management and ownership issues need an urgent attention before we can fully adopt this technology. 

 

As a lecturer at the only library school in Malawi, I am convinced that I have to liaise with colleagues in the department to incorporate the eBook concept either as a course or as a topic in one of the courses.