| What
is an ebook reader? |
An ebook reader can be a few different things:
- A piece of software used to read electronic texts.
- A computer or laptop which is used to read electronic texts.
- A dedicated device, like the Rocket eBook, used primarily
for reading electronic texts.
This page focuses on #3: the dedicated, portable ebook readers.
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| What
portable ebook readers are going to be used for the South Central
ebook experiment? |
South Central will be using the eBook REB1100 for our experiment
with ebook readers. The eBook REB1100, created by Gemstar, is
the successor to the Rocket eBook. This device is for reading
ebooks and other electronic texts. It has the capacity to store
approximately 12-15 books and allows the user to purchase and
download titles using only a phone line.
|
| If
my library receives a reader as part of the South Central ebook
"experiment", what happens after the grant period is over? |
Your library will own the reader that is
purchased for you. You are free to do what you would like with it.
|
| What
can you do with a portable ebook reader? |
Primarily, the purpose of these readers
is to read electronic texts. With most readers, you can purchase
ebook titles from vendors. Purchased titles are loaded onto the
reader. People reading titles can usually search the full-text of
any title. They can also usually add bookmarks, underlines, and
notes to titles, all of which can be removed later.
In most cases, the texts for these readers must be in a format
specific to the reader. For example, the REB1100 can read titles
created specifically for that device. It cannot read titles created
for the REB1100.
For some readers, you can also convert text documents and HTML
pages to read in the device.
|
| Do
I have to have a computer to use a portable ebook reader? |
It depends. Some readers, like the REB1100,
allow you to purchase and download titles using a phone line. Many
other readers require you to have a PC to load the titles onto the
reader. |
| Where
can I purchase titles for my portable ebook reader? |
Titles specifically formatted for
the REB1100 can be purchased at:
http://www.powells.com/rocketeditions.html
(This URL takes you to a search screen for Ebooks only. You can
also specify electronic format in advanced search. You can purchase
with a credit card, check, or billing account).
http://www.onlineoriginals.com
(This site sells titles only published in electronic format. You
can browse titles available in by format. Purchasing at this site
requires a credit card)
http://www.gemstar-ebook.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/eBookstore
(Includes “exclusive” titles which are first available electronically
in this format. You purchase these through the REB1100. Purchasing
requires a credit card.)
http://www.ebookad.com/
(This site provides searching across many distributors and publishers
of ebooks. You then purchase directly from the publisher or distributor.)
Additional content can be found at:
http://phoenix-library.org/
(This site has thousands of free titles for the REB1100, including
all of the Gutenberg titles. All titles are free to members who
join for $15.00 per year. This requires the eBook Librarian software)
http://promo.net/pg/
(Project Gutenberg’s web site has thousands of free titles available
for download. These can be used in the REB1100, with some conversion.)
|
| How
much does a title cost? Will I get money to purchase titles as part
of the ebook "experiment"? |
The cost of titles vary. Generally, the price of a title will
be the same or slightly less than the title would be in printed
form. Libraries that are taking part in the experiment will get
$193.00 to purchase titles.
Libraries are asked to supply a list of titles purchased with
this money, along with the cost of each title, to South Central
staff by December 15th.
|
| What
titles are libraries purchasing with the $193.00? |
To see what titles other libraries have purchased,
go to the Titles purchased for the
REB1100s in South Central page. |
| When
I purchase titles, how do I get them into my REB1100? |
The easiest way to get titles purchased from your Gemstar account
into your REB1100 is with a phone line. Once your device is connected
to a phone line, click on the Bookshelf icon, choose "Online
Bookshelf" and then choose "All Titles". Once you've
connected to your account, choose the titles you would like to
download, and click the "Download now" button.
You can also download titles purchased through the Internet.
There are two things to keep in mind with this method. You must
be using the eBook Librarian software on a PC to copy the titles
from the computer to the REB1100. If you would still like to use
the Internet method, go to http://www.rocket-ebook.com/cgi-bin/customer/purchase_history
|
|
I deleted something that came
loaded on my REB1100. Can I get it back?
|
Yes. All of the titles that came originally
loaded on the REB1100 (including the dictionary and "Around
the World in 80 days") can be restored. For complete instructions,
view the PDF document "Replacing the
titles pre-loaded on the REB1100". |
| How
many titles can the REB1100 hold? What about adding memory? |
The REB1100 can hold between 10-12 titles
and all of the content that comes pre-loaded on the device.
It is possible to add a 64 MB Smart Media card to the device, which
will hold over 80 additional titles. These cards can be purchased
for around $35.00. If you are interested in purchasing one of these
cards, you can contact Darrell Parrett at PC Mall: (800) 741-9199
x8243 or darrellp@pcmall.com.
The PC Mall part number for this media card is 1247180. |
| How
are other libraries using and circulating these readers? |
In many different ways! Chris Rippel at the Central Kansas Library
System has collected information from a number of projects in
the United States and around the world. The address for his site
is: http://skyways.lib.ks.us/central/ebooks/libraries.html
The Rochester Regional Library Council is doing an electronic
book evaluation project, and have a lot of information available
on their page. You can find it at:http://www.lib.rochester.edu/main/ebooks/index.htm
Two colleges in Illinois, Spoon River and Eureka, through a grant
from the State Library of Illinois, are experimenting with REB1100s
in the classroom. Reports of their progress can be found at http://www.geocities.com/lbell927/index.htm
In Wisconsin, most of the libraries of Waukesha County Federated
Library System are circulating REB1100s. Sample policies for these
devices can be found at http://www.execpc.com/~wcfls/policies.htm
While most libraries in South Central haven't started circulating
the readers yet, the Ebook Readers Roundtable has met once, and
the notes from the discussion can be found at http://psw.scls.lib.wi.us/roundtables/ebookreaders.html
The November/December issue of Public Libraries
included an e-libraries supplement with an article called "Circulating
E-book readers". This five page article gives lots of information
and sample policies.
|
| What
if I want to purchase additional readers? |
Additional readers can be purchased through Capital Computers
in Madison for $269. Interested libraries can contact Trent Sveam
at (608) 278-6860, ext. 2241 or toll-free at 800-362-7434.
Do NOT purchase REB1100s for your libraries from vendors who sell
directly to consumers (Best Buy, Gemstar, etc.). The consumer
warranty for these devices does NOT apply to "commercial"
use of REB1100s. If something happens to your device in the first
90 days, and you have not purchased from a commercial reseller,
the device will NOT be replaced for free.
In late September, Gemstar announced that the prices for the
REB1100 and the REB1200 will probably drop in the next six months.
These price cuts will be drastic. The price of the REB1100 will
be around $150, and the price of the REB1200 will be $300.
|
| Where
can I talk with other South Central libraries who are using REB1100s? |
There are two places:
1. The scls-ebookreaders email list: To subscribe
to this list, go to: http://lists.scls.lib.wi.us/mailman/listinfo/scls-ebookreaders
subscribe scls-ebookreaders
2. There is a peer-to-peer group to discuss issues
around the portable ebook readers. For more information, see http://psw.scls.lib.wi.us/roundtables/ebookreaders.html
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| Where
can I get copies of the handouts from the training sessions? |
All of the handouts are available in PDF format below:
A functional guide to your REB1100:
Outlines how to read titles, make and delete markups, and change
your environment.
The REB1100 icons: Detailed instructions
to do each task under each icon.
The REB1100 Registration Process:
Describes what values were set during the registration process,
and how to change them.
Where REB1100 titles live: Diagram
showing where REB1100 titles live, and how to access them.
The Amazing eBook Promotion: Describes
the promotion and how to get your free titles.
How to purchase ebooks from Barnes
& Noble and Powell's without a credit card.
Steps for purchasing titles for your
REB1100: Describes the steps to purchase from Gemstar or online
vendors.
Installing the eBook Librarian Software
Using the eBook Librarian Software
Installing the Rocket Librarian
Software
Converting text and HTML documents to
read in your REB1100
Questions to think about before circulating
the ebook reader
Electronic Book (ebook) Evaluation
survey: A copy of the survey we are requesting you use when
circulating the ebook. There is also a Word
version of the ebook evaluation survey.
|
| Where
can I find out more about portable ebook readers? |
A few places to start are:
Electronic Book Reading Devices – Rocket eBook
http://knowbetter.com/ebook/tech/hardware/default.asp
Information about all different reading devices, including the
REB1100.
eBook Hardware
http://www.ebookad.com/hardware.php3
This site includes links and information about the major portable
eBook devices available, and includes reviews submitted by users.
Ebooks: Some concerns and surprises by Susan
Gibbons.
From Libraries and the Academy, Volume 1, Issue 1,
2001.
This is a really good article about the Rochester experience with
portable eBook readers. It appears in Libraries and the Academy,
which is part of Project Muse. The address for Project Muse is
http://muse.jhu.edu/ You can
view a free sample issue of any title. So, if you haven’t looked
at Libraries and the Academy before, you should be able to access
this article!
The November/December issue of Public Libraries
included an e-libraries supplement with an article called "Circulating
E-book readers". This five page article gives lots of information
and sample policies.
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