Clinical and academic use of electronic and print books: The health sciences library system e-book study at the University of Pittsburgh

Folb, BL and Wessel, CB and Czechowski, LJ (2011) Clinical and academic use of electronic and print books: The health sciences library system e-book study at the University of Pittsburgh. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 99 (3). 218 - 228. ISSN 1536-5050

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Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of the Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) electronic book (e-book) study was to assess use, and factors affecting use, of e-books by all patron groups of an academic health sciences library serving both university and health system- affiliated patrons. Methods: A web-based survey was distributed to a random sample (n55,292) of holders of library remote access passwords. A total of 871 completed and 108 partially completed surveys were received, for an approximate response rate of 16.5%-18.5%, with all user groups represented. Descriptive and chi-square analysis was done using SPSS 17. Results: Library e-books were used by 55.4% of respondents. Use by role varied: 21.3% of faculty reported having assigned all or part of an e-book for class readings, while 86% of interns, residents, and fellows reported using an e-book to support clinical care. Respondents preferred print for textbooks and manuals and electronic format for research protocols, pharmaceutical, and reference books, but indicated high flexibility about format choice. They rated printing and saving e-book content as more important than annotation, highlighting, and bookmarking features. Conclusions: Respondents' willingness to use alternate formats, if convenient, suggests that libraries can selectively reduce title duplication between print and e-books and still support library user information needs, especially if publishers provide features that users want. Marketing and user education may increase use of e-book collections.

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Details

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
Creators/Authors:	Creators Email Pitt Username ORCID Folb, BL FOLB@pitt.edu FOLB Wessel, CB cbw@pitt.edu CBW 0000-0002-5018-0156 Czechowski, LJ
Date:	1 July 2011
Date Type:	Publication
Journal or Publication Title:	Journal of the Medical Library Association
Volume:	99
Number:	3
Page Range:	218 - 228
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.3163/1536-5050.99.3.009
Schools and Programs:	University libraries > Health Sciences Library System
Refereed:	Yes
ISSN:	1536-5050
MeSH Headings:	Libraries, Medical; Publishing/organization & administration
PubMed Central ID:	PMC3133903
PubMed ID:	21753914
Date Deposited:	27 Jul 2016 15:32
Last Modified:	05 Feb 2019 03:55
URI:	http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/28975

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