E-books may inhibit student comprehension: studies

E-books may be the wave of the future, but it seems members of Generation Y — you know, the digital generation — still prefer their books in print, and find some aspects of e-reading to be clunky.

Researchers at the University of California and the California Digital Library recently released results of a survey that found a majority of students (58%) now use e-books, but most still prefer print formats. Of the 2,400 survey respondents who indicated a preference, 49% say they prefer print books, 34% prefer e-books, and 17% had no preference or described a preference that is usage-dependent.

Larger numbers of graduate students are more favorably inclined to e-books, but almost six out of ten undergrads indicated the highest preference for print books (58%). In fact, according to the survey report, “many undergraduate respondents commented on the difficulty they have learning, retaining, and concentrating while in front of a computer.”

The State of Mobile in Libraries 2012

As patrons embrace mobile devices, libraries need to provide new services. Here’s a look at the state of mobile library services—and what libraries need to do to stay on the radar

Also in this article:

Apps: What Do Patrons Want?

By Lisa Carlucci Thomas

Where do mobile library services stand in 2012? Nearly two years after the 2010 LJ Mobile Libraries Survey, mobile devices, such as smartphones, ereaders, and tablets have become mainstream, and the mobile library landscape has broadened significantly. Librarians, technologists, and information professionals are learning about and experimenting with mobile technologies while exploring and adopting best practices from library peers, institutional partners, and cross-industry experts.

Suddenly everyone (and no one) knows best how to meet the ever-changing mobile demand for information. From marketing, packaging, and licensing, to delivery, participation, and integration with existing services and practices, we’re all experts in ­training.

6th Carnegie Library Leadership Academy

As the Project Director of this $1m grant that addresses the library leadership development needs of public and academic librarians in South Africa, it's been an absolute privilege to meet and work with 120 public and academic librarians. The unexpected opportunity to extend my stay in Pretoria due to the unexpected ill health of the Project Co-ordinator, Martha de Waal, has enabled me to get to know better my fellow Rhodes colleagues, Jill Otto, Thandiwe Menze, Nicolene Mkhathali and Vatiswa Nhanha (Cory Library).

The programme of the Academy is designed to provide a variety of activities that stimulate individual and group participation. These include formal presentations, workshops, leadership tools, group simulation game and external visits. The discussions and debates around the topics has been lively, engaging, thought provoking and stimulating, so I sincerely hope that this energy will continue when colleagues get back to their offices.

I'd like to share two thoughts that resonated with me:

1. Be a RARE leader - reliable, accountable, responsible and ethical! Dr Buhle Mbambo-Thata, Executive Director: Libraries, UNISA and IFLA Governing Board Member
2. What defines a team? Mutual goal/s, individual responsibility and positive interdependence. Prof Johannes Cronje, Dean: Faculty of Informatics and Design, CPUT.

I must admit that after a day of intense mental and intellectual engagement, group observation and running around, I really feel physically exhausted but exhilarated in the knowledge that we will be able to go forward as a profession with a core of purposeful librarians.

How Apple’s Steve Jobs and Book Publishers Cost Consumers Millions

5 major publishing houses joined with Apple in a conspiracy to raise e-book prices