Bookstore attempts to expand e-book options

University Bookstore plans to double the number of e-books available.

By Rachel Krause

Published July 7, 2009

University Bookstore is attempting to expand its digital textbook, or e-book, selection from 100 titles to 200 this fall, University Bookstore Associate Director Paul Musket said.

"As e-books are becoming more available, it's important to provide the option," Musket said. "Ultimately, the bookstore wants to find course material options that meet faculty needs and are affordable to students."

E-books are downloadable versions of textbooks that have become a more prominent part of many classrooms in recent years.

"Some e-books are online, others can be downloaded to a computer and others can be loaded onto a reader," Musket said.

Digital textbooks usually cost the same or less than new textbooks, even when sold back, Musket said. E-books can be returned if the student has not activated them, so it is important for the student to know that they can and will use the book.

The bookstore has worked with a variety of publishing companies, including Jumpbooks, for e-books in the past. Jumpbooks allows students to highlight passages, take notes in the book and facilitate online discussions with the instructor. Digital textbooks allow readers to learn interactively, said Sue Riedman, spokeswoman for Nebraska Book Company, which owns Jumpbooks.

"For example, a student reads a section on soil erosion and then is able to watch a video clip showing how erosion occurs," Riedman said. "However, digital textbooks are not for all students. Students should select the book format that will work best for their learning style."

Despite the expanding offerings, students purchased only 200 e-books total last semester. Student Auxiliary Services spokeswoman Michelle Froese said students aren't purchasing e-books because they aren't fully comfortable using them.

"Students don't have that much experience using e-books," Froese said. "It's going to take a couple of years. Once students start using digital versions in middle or high school, we're going to see an increase of digital textbook usage at the college level."

Musket said the bookstore offered a short presentation on e-books and allowed students to try out the technology at Summer Welcome.

"We always work with students and parents at Summer Welcome to let them know how to save money through used books, textbook reservation program, technology, etc.," Musket said. "Adding e-books just made sense."

Froese said she envisions the university being a hybrid of both digital and traditional aspects and that expecting all students to embrace digital textbooks isn't realistic.

"I was a theatre major in college, and it isn't practical to expect theatre majors to use e-books for things like scripts," Froese said. "Digital textbook usage is going to be disciplined-based, such as in convergence journalism, where it makes a lot of sense to use digital texts."

Freshman Joe Pecoraro said he prefers e-books because they're affordable and environmentally friendly.

"I personally don't have any experience with the e-books, but recently I've become very interested in environmental studies," Pecoraro said. "So I requested e-books because it seems to be a more environmentally-friendly option. That and it saves the other type of green -- money."