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Librarianship.ca > Events > Ebook Sympsium: The Current State of the Art in Libraries

Ebook Sympsium: The Current State of the Art in Libraries

Date

March 17, 2016 08:30 - March 18, 2016 13:00

Location

Toronto

Details

Website: http://www.librarytechandthefuture.org/

The e-book landscape is changing for all libraries. In the past year we have seen new innovations in e-book technology, changes to licensing terms from some of the Big 5 as well as changes in accessibility for our print-challenged users, and more.

Are you up-to-date? Here’s a one and a half day symposium that explores these changes and provides an opportunity to discuss your library’s strategies for addressing the e-book landscape. A 2015 FOPL Market Probe Canada Ontario public opinion poll showed that:

  • e-Audiobook usage is leveling off
  • Fiction and non-fiction e-book usage is growing very well – in the double digits.
  • 14% of our users have downloaded an item from our library website (300% growth in 5 years)
  • 32% of Ontarians had downloaded books or magazines (but not necessarily from the library)
  • 11% of Ontarians prefer e-books and 14% read both print and digital books equally.
  • Demand is increasing for new e-book, e-news, and e-magazine services.

What is the situation for college and academic libraries? And what about special libraries? What are the limits to growth in our key library strategies of supporting reading? What are our best strategies for a hybrid print and digital reading ecology? How does one market these collections to build awareness? All great discussion areas! Join us.

We have assembled a great group of speakers to explore the issues of the changing landscape.

Some of our speakers include,

  • Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library;
  • Sarah Bonato, Reference/Research Librarian, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health,
  • Beth Jefferson, CEO, Bibliocommons,
  • Michael Ciccone, CELA/Bibliotekkie Consulting, Inc.,
  • Christina de Castell, Manager, Policy & Advocacy, International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA);
  • Stephen Abram, Executive Director, Federation of Ontario Public Libraries;
  • and others representing libraries, publishers and specialists.

You will have a terrific learning experience and a chance to join the conversation and learn what others are doing with the e-book challenge!