The experience of student use of eBooks on mobile devices

In summer 2014 the Northern Collaboration Content Special Interest Group began an investigation into the student experience of eBooks on mobile devices. The idea arose from a number of projects and workshops that had highlighted issues with the users’ experience of eBooks on mobile devices, and accessibility for users with disabilities, it had also long been an area of student complaint. The research focussed on eBooks purchased from the five main aggregators: Askew and Holts (VLeBooks), Coutts (MyiLibrary), Dawson (DawsonERA), EBL, and Ebrary. eBooks bought directly from publishers were not included. Tests were conducted using eBooks from each aggregator’s platform on a PC, iPad Air, ASUS Transformer Android tablet, Samsung Galaxy Android tablet and Kindle Fire. The group had a number of assumptions about student usage and where complaints were coming from, however, the results were more of a surprise. It is hoped that this paper will establish a constructive dialogue between libraries, suppliers and software partners in order to facilitate a better student experience in the future.