In 2011 NUI Maynooth Library commenced two streams of kindle usage, with a view to offering users more content options. Kindles were made available with core readings available, in cooperation with two academic departments – History and Business. Additionally a longer term project was initiated with a specific group of students from the Department of English, who would use the devices for the entirety of their readings for a whole semester. In contrast to many examples of this type, both projects have been enormously successful, with all devices in constant use by our students. In addition the projects have served to act as a ‘gateway’ device to both colleagues and students, many of whom would have been traditionally apprehensive about the ‘electronic book’. By starting with the Kindle we have been able to introduce even more content platforms, as well as encouraging colleagues and students to access our material over an even greater variety of devices.

1. A (surprisingly?) successful eBook
story
Hugh Murphy
Senior Librarian,
Collection Management Services
NUI Maynooth
hugh.murphy@nuim.ie

2. I will be talking about this...

3. I will not be talking about this

4. Nice story / Hard questions
• WHAT WE DID
• DID IT WORK?
• WHY WE DID IT
• WHATS THE GAIN?
• HOW WE DID IT
• WHATS THE COST?
• HOW IT WENT
• WHY DID IT WORK?!

5. WHAT WE DID
• Two programmes
• Two loan periods
• Two different aims

6. WHY WE DID IT
• Tipping point
• Proof of concept?
• Because we could / should?

7. It’s easy to get carried away..
“By the turn of the century, paper will satisfy less
than 5 percent of the total commerce in
information. Although education and
entertainment have their own migratory
paths and rates, the objective will be the
same: paper is going to be replaced with
electronic media”
(Kounta, J. (1992). Tomorrow’s libraries: More than a modular
telephone jack, less than a complete revolution - Perspectives
of a provocateur. Library Hi-Tech, 10(4), 39-50.
1992, p. 39)

8. …but haven't we reached tipping
point?

9. WHY WE DID IT
• Tipping point
• Proof of concept?
• Because we could / should?

10. HOW WE DID IT (1)

11. HOW WE DID IT (2)
[NUTS AND BOLTS]
• 10 kindles for general, 10 for English
• Library Staff usage
• Free general books
• List of titles submitted to Library
• Incentivised in pilot – no fees
• Catalogue records

12. HOW IT WENT
•
•
•
•
•
c100 titles uploaded
Time consuming
Licensing restrictions
Security restrictions
Strong marketing campaign

13. DID IT WORK
•
•
•
•
Validated our communication model
90% ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’
94% would borrow again
Repeat and increased business from
academics
• Devices always on loan

14. WHAT’S THE GAIN?
• Give users what [we think]
they want
• Increased traction with
academic departments
• Staff views on technology
opened up and
challenged
• Library seen as innovative

15. WHAT’S THE COST?
•
•
•
•
Time
Labour
Financial
Creates unsustainable
demand?
• Senior Librarian gets
murdered in his sleep..

16. WHY DID IT WORK?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Inherent merits of Kindle
Appropriate ‘intermediary’ step
Obvious benefits
Support of academic colleagues
Enthusiasm of staff
Just got lucky?

17. Thank you!
Go raibh maith agat!
hugh.murphy@nuim.ie
@hughtweet