Abstract

Libraries want to lend e-books, but they are finding many problems in doing this. This paper reviews the main obstacles that libraries have to face when lending e-books. First of all, the article describes the differences in the digital publishing market around the world, but there isn’t only one global situation regarding this topic. Further barriers placed by providers and publishers, which make it difficult to lend e-books, are also analyzed. Criteria that libraries should follow in order to acquire and lend e-books to their patrons are listed. Finally, the Cielo model of e-lending in the libraries of the University of Salamanca is explained.

Abstract

With the advent of digital books it is recommended that librarians take an active role, defending the rights of citizens to be able to continue enjoying free reading, and also maintaining their own image of being up-to-date professionals. Librarians should know technical, economic and legal details of the publishing world to act on new fronts, such as being literary agents, promoters of issues of local interest or licensing consultants.

Abstract

The current state of the Spanish market of the academic digital books is analyzed. To do this, a set of publishers selected by various experts as the most prestigious within the field of Library and Information Science was chosen. The analyzed parameters focus on digital production percentage in relation to the size of the publisher, existing formats, information offered and the access facilities. Results show that digital publishing is a little significant phenomenon, that has been developed without well defined strategies. This fact translates into a scarce availability of titles and formats, as well as a lack of many of the features that the new medium offers.