Developing and managing e-book collections - Newcastle Upon Tyne

Netskills Training Suite, University of Newcastle Upon Tyne, Newcastle.
Tuesday, 11th April 2006, 9.30 - 16.30

Course Presenters: Ray Lonsdale and Chris Armstrong

Course fee: UKeiG members £150 + VAT (£176.25); others £180 + VAT (£211.50)

Further details and a booking form are on the UKeiG web site Alternatively, contact Christine Baker by email (CABaker@ukeig.org.uk) or phone +44 1969 663749

Course Outline

This course opens the door to a new electronic format. In the last six years, there has been an unprecedented growth in the publishing of e-books with an increasing array of different types available for all sectors. The programme will give you the opportunity to explore a range of different e-books including a range of commercially-published and free reference works, monographs, textbooks, and fiction. Examples will include individual titles and also collections of e-books, such as those offered by NetLibrary and Oxford University Press. The course will also facilitate consideration of the new opportunities e-books offer for librarians and users, and the significant collection management and promotional issues which challenge information and library staff.

The course is designed to offer:

• an understanding of the meaning of the term 'e-book'
• a familiarity with a range of commercially-produced e-book from publishers and aggregators
• a familiarity with range of free e-books
• an understanding of the nature of e-books (e.g. reference, textbook)
• an appreciation of the advantages and disadvantages of the medium
• an appreciation of the collection management issues associated with bibliographical control, selection, acquisition, access, licensing, and archiving
• a familiarity with the different ways of promoting awareness and use of the format

In addition to talks by the presenters, the course includes two practical exercises. The first allows delegates to explore examples of online e-books in a structured way. The second comprises an activity in which delegates will be divided into small groups to examine the major collection management, and marketing and promotion issues. A plenary session led by the course presenters will then be held to enable delegates discuss their findings in the light of current research, practice, and the work of the JISC e-Book Working Group.