Use of E-Books in an Academic Environment : An Overview

Abstract

This paper highlights the power that electronic books provide to traditional libraries for effective use their resources to their clients by improving the quality of their collections and access, while saving on the expense of maintaining paper-based books. Presents comprehensive definition of e-book and its types. Elaborates the genesis of e-books. Identifies the pros and cons. Discusses the use of e-books in an academic environment. Provides some e-book reader software and hardware. Also briefly discusses about digital right management system of e-books. In concision one may say that Academic Libraries should embrace the opportunities offered by electronic books to keep up with the ever-changing climate and the day is not for off when the paper book will become a relic of the past.