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E‐book acquisition features: attitude of Iranian information professionals

Amir Ghaebi (Department of Library and Information Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran)
Sepideh Fahimifar (Department of Library and Information Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran)

The Electronic Library

ISSN: 0264-0473

Article publication date: 15 November 2011

1144

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to consider the most important criteria of e‐book acquisition in academic libraries. The survey seeks these reasons on the basis of two aspects: e‐book features for users and for information professionals or libraries. Moreover, restrictions on e‐books acquisition are surveyed with regard to information professionals' attitude.

Design/methodology/approach

The survey research method is used in this study with questionnaire and interview used for data gathering. The statistical population consisted of 60 information professionals working at state universities of metropolitan Tehran.

Findings

The results show that high storage capacity and multimedia capability are the most important features in acquiring e‐books on the basis of academic user needs. Also, the main criteria of acquiring e‐books from the professionals' point of view of fostering their interests are: occupying little space, ease of selection and simultaneous circulation. Moreover, this study shows that the main restrictions of e‐book acquisition are: hardware and software restrictions, the lack of a union catalog for Iranian e‐books, low level of user familiarity, hackers and even eye‐fatigue when reading.

Originality/value

This study takes the form of unique research that surveys the e‐book acquisition criteria in Iran on the basis of two aspects (user and library) with focus on information professionals' attitude, simultaneously. In addition, there has not been any research on e‐books in Iran, and this study is the first.

Keywords

Citation

Ghaebi, A. and Fahimifar, S. (2011), "E‐book acquisition features: attitude of Iranian information professionals", The Electronic Library, Vol. 29 No. 6, pp. 777-791. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640471111188006

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2011, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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