[13150] in Public-Access_Computer_Systems_Forum
Re: netLibrary
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Wong Wai Man)
Tue Mar 14 20:03:07 2000
Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 11:47:04 +0800
From: Wong Wai Man <wmwong@OUHK.EDU.HK>
In-Reply-To: <3.0.6.32.20000310102239.00914b70@bayou.uh.edu>
To: PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU
Reply-To: Public-Access Computer Systems Forum <PACS-L@LISTSERV.UH.EDU>
Message-Id: <4.2.0.58.20000314110751.00a1f9e0@oliv1.ouhk.edu.hk>
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I agree that reading from a computer screen for a long period of time is
not something very desirable. However, our Library still decided to be one
of the first international partners with Netlibrary. As a distance
education institution, we have difficulties in providing library support to
the distance learners. We would like to take advantage of the fact that
97% of our students have access to personal computer at home or at
work. Netlibrary provide us a cost effective way to deliver information to
our students. Book chapters relate to students' study and learning could
be easily identified and read any time at home using the search engine
Netlibrary provided. I think ebooks will has its role to play in the
library service. One of our concern is that there are not enough ebooks
under Netlibrary.
wai-man, OUHK lib
At 10:22 AM 3/10/00 -0600, you wrote:
>Lloyd makes a good point about netLibrary...printing is controlled to help
>maintain copyright integrity. One problem though: who honestly wants to
>read a book from a computer screen? This is why it will be many, many
>years before books begin to fade. From an ergonomics standpoint, it is
>easier on the eyes to read from print than from even the best screens
>available. Also, you can put a book in your bag, walk out under a tree,
>and read all afternoon. The current limitations of computing technology,
>such as finite battery life and the expense of wireless/cellular modems,
>would make this a good deal more difficult and certainly far more expensive
>than using a book.
>
>So, while this model allows netLibrary to legally exist, I'm not sure of
>the point, unless it is to deliver short shelf life reference books that
>don't require reading the entire thing to get anything out of it.
>
>Booklover and proud of it,
>
>Mark
>
>*************************************************
>Mark T. Bay
>Education / Social Sciences Reference Librarian
>M.D. Anderson Library
>University of Houston
>Houston, TX 77204-2091
>
>(713) 743-9767
>mbay@uh.edu
>*************************************************
Wai-man Wong (Ms)
Librarian Email: wmwong@ouhk.edu.hk
The Open University of Hong Kong Tel : (852) 27686773
30 Good Sheperd Street FAX : (852) 27893530
Homantin http://www.lib.ouhk.edu.hk/
HONG KONG
