Skip to main content

E-Books at SLCC Libraries

BIG NEWS! 

Electronic books now far outnumber print books at SLCC Libraries. This reversal is part of a national trend in academic libraries: a shift from owning books to leasing them. The model is similar to what subscription services like Netflix, iTunes, and Amazon offer consumers. In this case, the library is the subscriber; it pays so SLCC students, faculty, and staff can have access to resources that aren’t freely available.
Finding E-books at SLCC

E-books can be searched right from the library’s main web page in the default “One Search” box.


E-books can be read on the Library’s web site or downloaded as PDF or HTML files for viewing on a home computer, e-reader, tablet, or smart phone. SLCC Library users are prompted to set up a username and password by EBSCO after selecting the download option, but the book rental is paid for by the college.

FAQ about E-Books

Question: Do e-books have a due date or expiration?
Yes. The checkout period is 7 days but renewals are unlimited.

Question: Is there a limit to how many e-books I can download?
For a small number of e-books EBSCO limits the number of simultaneous downloads, but most have unlimited downloads.

Question: Why do I have to create a username and password with EBSCO to download an e-book onto my device?
EBSCO monitors checkouts for e-books with download limitations and also collects statistics for marketing and business development

E-books: the good, the bad, and the…

Scholarly writers praise (see article here) e-books’ unlimited capacity to include commentary, video, art, interactive maps, and links to related content.

 Instant, on demand access anywhere with an internet connection
  • Mobility and chiropractic value: one or dozens fit in your pocket
  • Searchable using keywords
  • Can be read in total darkness
  • Can be backed up to prevent loss or damage
  • Fonts can be enlarged or changed
  • Text can be read aloud for those in need
  • Non-text multimedia and widgets (image galleries, interactive models, data, video and audio files) can be embedded in the text
  • Many available for free online
  • Make it possible for authors to inexpensively publish and distribute their own work


Educators in the humanities have expressed concern (see article here) about the potential adverse effects of e-books on “deep reading” and critical reflection.

  • Require a device, and therefore electricity, to be read
  • Necesitate e-readers, which become electronic waste
  • Difficult to share, i.e., transfer from one device to another, due to copyright restrictions
  • More like rentals than actual purchases
  • Cannot be resold
  • Rarely owned and preserved by public institutions
  • Privacy: usage may be monitored or tracked by providers
  • Difficult to “mark up” with combination of graphical and textual notations
  • Pages cannot be “felt” or “smelled”
  • Do not increase in monetary value and are not collectible
  • Do not beautify your home or office



If you have decided that e-books are for you and find yourself needing a bit of help, contact a reference librarian at 801-957-4610.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

SLCC's Undergraduate Annual Research Conference Registration Deadline

Salt Lake Community College’s annual Undergraduate Projects, Performances, Presentations, and Research Conference (UP3RC) is set to take place on April 2, at the Taylorsville Redwood Campus, offering students a chance to showcase their academic achievements, fostering a culture of intellectual exchange.  The UP3RC is an annual event designed to celebrate and highlight the academic accomplishments of undergraduate students. It provides a supportive environment for students to share their work, hone their presentations skills, receive constructive feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions with their peers and faculty. All SLCC departments and programs, including faculty and staff, are encouraged to support and visit the day of the event. Students with their poster from last year's UPRC event “The goal of this event is to make sure every school and student is given the opportunity to participate,” says Dr. Kamal Bewar, interim director of the STEM Learning Center, who is chairin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Rev Up Your Future at SLCC Annuals Hop into College

SLCC West Valley Center will be opening its doors on Friday, August 2, from 6-9 pm for their annual lowrider event that celebrates the automotive culture and welcomes current, past, and future Bruins into the SLCC community. This unique event allows lowriders to showcase their vehicles and for spectators to witness the creativity, craftsmanship, and passion that goes into a lowrider car. From the sleek custom paint jobs to the impressive hydraulics showcased at the hop-off, attendees get immersed in the vibrant culture created by SLCC West Valley’s community. Beyond the car show, Hop into College provides prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore SLCC, engage with their future peers, staff and faculty and obtain valuable insight into the degrees and programs offered. Furthermore, the community is provided with countless beneficial resources not only as an SLCC student but as a community member. Whether interested in learning more about the lowrider community o...
Post a Comment
Read more

HB 261 and HB 257 Frequently Asked Questions

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students: The Utah Legislature recently passed two bills that significantly impact higher education:  HB 261  Equal Opportunity Initiatives and HB  257  Sex-Based Designations for Privacy, Anti-Bullying, and Women’s Opportunities. Salt Lake Community College is deeply committed to our students, faculty, and staff. We strive to be a place where all are welcomed and respected. While there are many unknowns about the ultimate effect these bills will have on some student and staff support programs, be assured that SLCC will maintain an environment where all can find success and feel a sense of belonging. In the coming months, college leadership will work to gain clarity and determine the changes necessary for legislative compliance. We will also share this information as it becomes available.  We realize that during this time, some in our college community may feel unsettled and stressed. We encourage you to make use of available SLCC resourc...
Post a Comment
Read more