Following two workshops on the management of e-books in public libraries, held at the National Library of Wales during 2010, CyMAL and the National Library of Wales have commissioned the workshop facilitators, Chris Armstrong of Information Automation Ltd and Ray Lonsdale of the Department of Information Studies, Aberystwyth University to undertake two interrelated studies to collect information which will contribute towards library planning for the future provision of e-books in public libraries across Wales.

The first study, which commenced in January, is acquiring base-line information about the current and planned provision and use of e-book collections within local authorities, and also investigating the business models of those e-book suppliers active in the public library sector. The second study examines the issues facing librarians in managing e-book collections in public libraries and also affords an opportunity to inform librarians about e-book suppliers' business models. In addition to collecting basic data by means of a questionnaire, telephone and face-to-face interviews with both the library authorities and the library suppliers will be conducted.

The project is due to report in May 2011 and the findings, which will offer not only a picture of current provision but also practical guidance, will be disseminated to the funding bodies and to all Welsh library authorities.

 

For further information, please contact either Chris Armstrong ([log in to unmask]) or Ray Lonsdale ([log in to unmask]).

 

 

 

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