Document Type
Presentation
Date
6-9-2010
Keywords
e-books, e-book readers, Kindle, academic libraries, libraries, accessibility
Disciplines
Library and Information Science
Description/Abstract
In the fall 2009 semester, the Syracuse University Library launched a pilot program to test two Kindle DX e-book readers as content delivery devices. The pilot objectives included exploring additional options for access to curricular resources that are cost-prohibitive and frequently requested by library users, testing a new technology, i.e., Kindle DX, for delivery of ebooks, gauging user reactions to e-book readers, and using Kindle statistics and user feedback to develop or modify services and technologies. Through the pilot, the Library gained practical experience with a new technology and attempted to determine whether an e-book reader loan program would interest our users. Because of the inaccessibility of Kindles for blind and visually disabled patrons, Syracuse University joined other universities to make a statement regarding our discontinued use of Kindles in December 2009. We will describe what we learned that is both Kindle-specific and e-book reader platform independent, given our initial project parameters. We’ll also highlight how multiple and sometimes competing vested interests affected our pilot program and what our future directions might be, knowing what we now know.
Recommended Citation
Dermody, Melinda, Suzanne Preate, Nancy Turner, and Scott Warren. "The Brief Wondrous Life of the Syracuse ." New York Library Association . Ithaca. 9 June 2010. Web. 15 Dec. 2010. .
Source
local input
Additional Information
Presented at the conference entitled, Academic Librarians 2010: Faster than the Speed of Bytes: Technology, Cognition, and the Academic Librarian