Application and development of electronic books in an e‐Gutenberg age
| Published date | 01 February 2003 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14684520310462527 |
| Pages | 8-16 |
| Date | 01 February 2003 |
| Author | Ya‐ning Chen |
| Subject Matter | Information & knowledge management,Library & information science |
Application and
development of
electronic books in an
e-Gutenberg age
Ya-ning Chen
Introduction
The electronic book brings various visionary
possibilities for users, authors, publishers, and
libraries. It is another supplementary option to
paper books rather than a replacement. The
electronic book, featuring portability, universal
access, and multimedia, is a new experience for
users. The traditional book is tied to a physical
object, whereas the electronic book is coupled
with a reading device either of computer
software or hardware. First, this paper reviews
the historical development of the electronic
book. Second, it is defined, and then
characteristics and constraints are discussed.
This paper also presents a new typology for the
electronic book in terms of device, pricing,
access, publishing model, and media
transformation. Third, several related issues of
how libraries introduce electronic books into
service are examined. Fourth, the issue of user
preferences for electronic books is also
addressed. In conclusion, a comparison
between electronic and paper books is offered.
Historical development
Although the development of electronic books
is regarded as the most recent trend in the
book industry, and the potential to be the
most far-reaching change since Gutenberg's
invention (Hawkins, 2000, p. 15), the term
``electronic book'' was coined by Van Damm
over 30 years ago (Reynolds and Derose,
1992, p. 263). In fact the idea of the
electronic book can be traced back to the
``memex'' (Press, 2000). In 1945, when Bush
published his famous article ``As we may
think'', he invented the memex concept:
A memex is a device in which an individual
stores all his books, records, and
communications, and which is mechanised so
that it may be consulted with exceeding speed
and flexibility. It is an enlarged intimate
supplement to his memory (Bush, 1945, p. 7).
Indeed, the idea of memex is to integrate a
variety of resources, and that is very similar to
what electronic books offer today. Kay, in the
late 1960s, dreamed of what he called
The author
Ya-ning Chen is a Systems Analyst at the Computing
Centre, Academia Sinica, Nankang, Taipei, Taiwan,
Republic of China.
Keywords
Electronic publishing, Digital libraries,
Information retrieval, Dissemination, Books, Internet
Abstract
Since Gutenberg invented printing in the fifteenth century,
the book has become one of the most important
information carriers for knowledge distribution, academic
research, cultural heritage, and preservation. With
advancements in technology both of electronic publishing
and universal distribution and access on the Internet, the
electronic book is supposed to become another revolution
for information dissemination. This paper examines
electronic books by giving a review of their historical
development, definition and scope, characteristics and
constraints, typology, related issues for library services,
and user preferences. Consequently, this paper finds that
electronic books only bring several evolutionary changes
to the current operations of publishing and distribution in
comparison with traditional books. The electronic book is
just as much a consequence of the application of
innovative information technologies as Gutenberg's were
for paper books. A revolutionary change is still required
for the electronic book to become ubiquitous.
Electronic access
The Emerald Research Register for this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/researchregister
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is
available at
http://www.emeraldinsight.com/1468-4527.htm Refereed article received 12 April 2002
Approved for publication 14 October 2002
This article is based on a conference paper
presented on 30 October 2001 at The Electronic
Book Conference, Tamkang University Library,
Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China.
8
Online Information Review
Volume 27 .Number 1 .2003 .pp. 8-16
#MCB UP Limited .ISSN 1468-4527
DOI 10.1108/14684520310462527
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