EBOOKS

eBooks and the Student Experience at the University of Toronto Libraries

We investigated the current uses of eBooks by students and faculty, their understanding of eBooks and services, and identified trends of adoption as well as new user innovation concepts. The report presents the findings of user activity research, not a peer-reviewed behavioral study. We observed and analyzed the student and faculty experiences and activities related to the adoption of eBooks for scholarly activity. Results and findings are expressed in the context of authentic user experience and their implications for online publishing innovation. The report covers:

  • Who: University students and scholars – Undergraduates, Graduate students, Faculty, and Staff
  • What, How: eBook content and eBooks services
  • Where, When, Why: In what ways are eBooks used by students and different disciplines?

The report investigates the process of adoption and use of electronic books by students and scholars during a time of significant technology transition (as typical of published technology usage studies.) At the time of the study (2008), The University of Toronto Libraries (UTL) had initiated a proactive technology project to significantly enhance the eBooks collection, eBooks delivery platform, reading interfaces, and search and discovery engine. Over the course of the year, UTL started its transition to the eBrary platform, and integrated the Endeca search/discovery engine with the Library website. These services were not yet operational at the time of the study, but are now. Our findings reflect the UTL platform of 2008, which can be considered state-of-the-art for research libraries currently and over the next 2-4 years.

The University of Toronto Libraries eBooks student experience study was sponsored by the Library and Information Technology Services. We gratefully acknowledge the funding support received by three publishers: Elsevier, Springer, and Taylor and Francis. The study was conducted by Peter Jones of Redesign Research with Jason Moore of Xinsight, Toronto.

Public summary report (PDF):
Turning the Page: Learning about the Future of eBooks from Students Today

Ontario Library Association Superconference Presentation (PDF):
Student Experience of eBooks: How they are found, used and (not) read

Presentation at OCAD Strategic Innovation Lab, August 2008
Slideshare Turning the Page (PDF)