EBooks: Expanding the School Library

Presenter: Dr. Terry Cavanaugh & Dr. Cathy Cavanaugh
Email: tcavanau@unf.edu & ccavanau@unf.edu

Web: http://drscavanaugh.org/ebooks/

 As of 2004 the Million Book Project had digitized over 80,000 free eBooks.

 A library in every classroom.

 Recommended eBook format: MS Reader      http://www.microsoft.com/reader

Linked Reading List and eBook Libraries: http://www.drscavanaugh.org/ebooks 

• Advantages of eBooks

• Cost
• Size
• Weight
• Readability features of eBooks

• Highlighting
• Note taking
• Interactive instant dictionary
• Bookmarks
• eBook accommodations

• Read aloud (text-to-speech)
• Text size and shape (instant large print books)

Online Libraries:

• Project Gutenberg Official Home Site -  http://www.promo.net/pg/
• Children's Books On-Line For FREE:  http://www.editec.net/
• Blackmask: http://www.blackmask.com/
• Baen Free Library: http://www.baen.com/library/
• E-Book Library at the Electronic Text Center, University of Virginia: http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/ebooks/ebooklist.html

What is an eBook? It's an enhanced book without the paper.

eBooks are books or other forms of text in digital form.

 At little to no cost, using technologies that are already available at most schools, it is possible to expand the school media center’s collection of books, at the same time making many of the books more accessible for students. Digital libraries can be created on a stand alone computer, made part of the school network, or placed on the internet. As part of the school network, students have access to the electronic text portion of the collection from networked computers throughout the school. An additional benefit is that books that have passed into the public domain can be given to students at no cost.

 Why have eBooks “in” the library?

·        Shelf space saved

·        Book budget not impacted

·        Public domain books don’t have to be returned

·        Home access is expanded

  EBooks are forms of electronic text containing many features, some of which can be classified as accommodations.  The eBook itself has three different components, an eBook file, software to read the eBook, and a hardware device on which to read it: computer, laptop, or handheld. EBooks are available through online libraries, bookstores, or they can be created from common forms of electronic text with readily available programs, which are often available free. Examples of accommodating features that some eBooks currently have include: light weight (in comparison to other texts), adjustable text size, highlighting, bookmarking, note taking, interactive dictionaries, and even reading aloud.  By using these features instructors can create pre-accommodated eBooks for student reading using items such as advance organizers and reading guides. Reading is considered to be one of the basic activities in all educational situations, and as such it is one of the most common activities requiring accommodations or modifications for special needs students. 

 The format of eBook that I have found to have the greatest number features for ease of use and most advanced interactive abilities is the Microsoft Reader eBook. MS Reader uses a display format called “ClearType” which makes text displayed on a screen look like words in a printed book. Some of the other features of MS Reader include a graphic that displays the reader’s location within the book, a navigation system that remembers where the reader stops reading and the last place that was viewed allowing for instant return.  The text is adaptable allowing users to select from a variety of sizes and font styles to set the most comfortable display for the user.  The MS Reader eBook also creates an annotation file that stores reader created bookmarks, highlights, drawings, and notes.  It also has interactive dictionaries, and searching within the book for specific words and phrases.  Along with these interactive features, the page display of the eBook itself is well designed, including margins to increase reading comfort, and a portrait page layout that displays a whole page at a time (no scrolling), with the option to black out the rest of the computer screen. The ability to carry books, references, notes and other resources electronically allows users to make better use of the information, along with the additional just-in-time learning advantages of options like the interactive dictionaries.

  Interactive dictionary           highlighting ability

note taking                     text-to-speech

eBook Formats

EBooks come in a variety of formats, some of which are platform or device specific while others are cross platform.  HTML or text based eBooks are ready to use in standard browsers. Using browser capabilities, readers can adjust text style, size, and color. With html or text it is possible to search for terms within the book, and copy and paste selected text to other programs. The Adobe PDF eBooks format allows for page navigation, multiple viewing options, adding bookmarks, and searching. Many consider the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF) a standard for electronic distribution worldwide, as pdf files are compact and can be easily shared, viewed, navigated, and printed. Palm eBooks can be read on computers and Palm handheld devices. The Palm format allows users to select various fonts and font sizes, which controls the amount of text on the screen. Microsoft Reader eBooks are compatible with Windows (95+) operating systems for desktop and laptop computers as well as handheld devices.

 While there are over 25 different formats of eBooks I'll only be discussing what I consider the big five: text (.txt); web (.htm/.xml); Adobe Acrobat Reader (.pdf); Microsoft Reader (.lit); and Palm Reader (.pdb).

Other devices and platforms

• Calculators
• Casio watches
• AlphaSmart Dana
• Mp3 players
• Cell phone
• LeapPad

eBook Format Capabilities

How to create a digital library on a computer

Questions to consider when constructing an eLibrary.

·        Does the school have internet web space?
If yes, you can make your eLibrary available to the world for download and reading. If not you are limited to your school network or a stand-alone computer.

·        Do have access to the internet at school?
If yes, you can access books from your own internet library or from other libraries. If not you only have access to the books you save and place on your system.

·        Is there a school network with server access to the computers in the classroom?
If yes, students and teachers can access the books from anywhere in the school.  If not people will have to go to the school library or stand-alone locations to access or download books.

 Constructing an eLibrary

1. First decide if you want links to other library’s eBooks or you want to have the eBooks files located locally. If you are connecting to other libraries there is a chance that the library link will change. Also the book files might not be compatible with your users’ devices or software. Consider that your school system’s internet may not always be available. If you decide to publish the books on the internet they will be accessible to users to either read online or download, and you will know that those eBooks are always there. Libraries without internet access can make eBook files available on an intranet, school network (doesn’t connect out), or stand-alone computer eLibrary station.
2. Next evaluate and select books that match or support the school reading list and curriculum. To do this you will need a reading list and a list of common curriculum topics.  Then you will need to peruse the existing public domain libraries for books that you can use. Just because they are already in your collection shouldn’t stop you from obtaining “extra” copies, especially as these are ones you can give away without the worry of return. Consider going past the required reading list to including other books by required authors.  For an example set of eBooks to support science, see  http://www.unf.edu/~tcavanau/presentations/SciRead/index.htm.
3. Convert your books to the needed formats (see more below). Start by downloading the sharable eBooks in as many formats as possible, and then convert them to any other desired formats. It is better to provide the eBooks in multiple formats to ensure that they are readable with familiar or available tools, especially for home use. Try for all of the big five and any other that you might want.

4.   Create a web site with links to each of your collection’s eBook files. This web site method will work even for offline book browsing.  Any computer will run a web page even if it is not on the internet. Another option is a bit more advanced, which is to create an eBook database of the eBook files and then link it with a web authoring system (.asp/.php).  EBook databases can be stored in several places, such as in your school’s web site, on a file server, or on a database server such as SQL server or Oracle server.

5. Don’t forget to include links to reader software on your library site.  If you are creating a stand-alone computer station install software for all the formats on that computer. If you are creating an eBook library CD, make sure to download the installation files onto the CD.
6. Now publish your collection.  Place your eBook eLibrary online so that everyone gets access.

It is also possible to buy a complete eBook library and then use it as the base to build your own. For example Blackmask (http://www.blackmask.com/catalo/default.php ) sells DVD copies of it’s 12000 copyright free books for $30 per format. You could then use the book files from that DVD to start your library’s eBook collection. Baen Science Fiction (http://www.baen.com ) includes a large number of its current titles on CD for free sharing if you buy their hardbacks with the CD inside. Remember don’t share unless you have permission or it is in the public domain.

Making eBooks

Many tools are available at no cost to convert existing electronic text into eBook formats.  For example Microsoft distributes for free a plug-in for MS Word 2000+ that allows users to change any MS Word document into eBook file formatted for the Microsoft Reader.  Palm has a similar system with DropBook, which is a program for Windows and Macintosh that allows conversion of a text file to the Palm Markup Language for reading with the Palm Reader.  Another program, ReaderWorks allows users to convert documents, publications, web pages, and books into MS Reader (.lit) format.  There is even a form of ReaderWorks online, called eBook Express, where users can convert their documents, and then download the converted files.

You can use these converters to add original student writing to your eBook library.

 Free resources for converting eBook files

• Text: any word processor just “Save As” text (.txt)

• Web: FrontPage Express

• Web: Netscape Communicator

• Adobe Acrobat: http://www.gobcl.com/convert_pdf.asp

• MS Reader: eBook Express: http://lit.ebookexpress.com/

• MS Reader: Word Add-in: http://www.microsoft.com/reader/developers/info/rmr.asp