E-Books vs. Print: Which is the Better Value?

Abstract

Jonathan Bunkell, Vice President of Online Book Sales for Elsevier, Ltd., presented an examination of e-books versus print books in order to assess which is the better value. The presenter considered the advantages of collecting online books as opposed to print, presented evidence that online books are a cost-effective solution that becomes more cost-effective over time, and demonstrated that e-books optimize usage of book titles, optimize their access and discoverability, and cross-link books with other online content for a dynamic research experience.

KEYWORDS:

• e-books
• e-book cost-effectiveness
• e-book usage
• e‐book cross-linking
• collection development

Notes

1. Dennis Dillon, “University of Texas EBook Study” (library study, University of Texas Libraries, 2007).

2. Usage Research Team, A&G Products, Elsevier, “Books on ScienceDirect Usage Research” (research report, Elsevier, 2008).

3. Ibid.

4. ATOS Consulting, “A Comparison of Library Expenses Worldwide” (report commissioned by Elsevier, 2007). Note refers to SCONUL, ARL, ScienceDirect Handbook, and Book Series Usage Data in ATOS Consulting, “A Comparison of Library Expenses Worldwide” (report commissioned by Elsevier, 2007).

5. Ibid.

6. Usage Research Team, A&G Products, Elsevier, “Books on ScienceDirect Usage Data” (research report, Elsevier, 2008).

7. Ibid.

8. Warren Holder, “Ebooks—Setting New Directions” (library report, University of Toronto Library, 2007).

9. Ebrary, “Global Faculty eBook Survey 2007” (survey report, Ebrary, 2007).

10. Monitor Group, “Elsevier eBook User Survey 2007” (report commissioned by Elsevier, 2007).

11. Carol Tenopir, “How Electronic Journals are Changing Research Patterns” (library report, University of Tennessee Libraries, November 2007).

12. Ibid.

13. Monitor Group, “Elsevier eBook User Survey 2007” (report commissioned by Elsevier, 2007).

14. Monitor Group, “Elsevier ScienceDirect Online Books Value Story” (report commissioned by Elsevier, 2008).