One of the many tasks presented to school librarians is that of keeping collections up-to-date. Weeding out the old books and acquiring the new is a continuous process. Some may see the introduction of the eBook as just another thing to keep up with. Others may see it as a useful resource, an engaging tool for our 21st Century learners. As schools begin exploring eBook readers, some are finding that many fiction titles from common reading lists are simply not available. However, non-fiction titles seem much easier to come by and often incorporate extras. According to Harris (2010), “enhanced social studies ebooks from Rosen Publishing include maps, timelines, and primary-source documents”.
Group pricing is another concern for school libraries considering eBooks. Harris (2012) pointed out that “it is difficult- or, in the case of Apple’s iPad and iBookstore, impossible-to purchase multiple copies of a book for use by multiple students in a reading group”. The cost of the device itself, whether it be a Kindle, Nook, or iPad is also a concern.
An interesting aspect of using eBooks in schools is the potential for it to help special needs students as they build confidence in their reading skills. Some publishers are creating eBooks without a visible title. This has been helpful with struggling readers as it allows them to read at their own level without fear of scrutiny from their peers. Students with vision problems may also benefit from the text-to-speech capabilities of handheld devices.
As a future librarian, I would be interested in using eBooks as a research or study tool. We all know that writing in a school textbook is a big no-no! By using these resources, students have the advantage of highlighting key points, inserting notes, and searching a built in dictionary all through one handheld device.
Harris, C. (2012, Jan 13). Ebooks and School Libraries [Features]. Retrieved from http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/01132012/ebooks-and-school-libraries
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