An overview
Information professionals across industries responded to the corporate eBook survey:
Fig. 1. Survey Participation by Industry Type
Corporations varied from a small number of employees all the way to over 100,000 FTEs.
(Fig. 2. Library/Information Center Presence)
With respect to the correlation of company size vs library existence, in the 60% of respondents that reported having a centralized library/information center:
40% were from the pharmaceutical & biotechnology industries
40% were equally divided among aerospace, chemical manufacturing and finance. The remaining 20% were also equally divided among agriculture/food, energy and engineering. Reviewing the FTE count, companies with a centralized library/information center had anywhere from a small number of employees all the way to over 100,000 FTEs.
Solo librarians reported from a variety of industries: aerospace, engineering, oil & gas and medical devices, as well as non-profit and government organizations. Notably, for the solo librarian scenario, the company FTE count varied from a small number of employees all the way up to 44,000 FTEs.
In the no-library respondent group:
66.66% were from the pharmaceutical & biotechnology industry, with FTEs up to 2,600
The remaining respondents were from non-profit organizations. No respondents selected the “embedded librarian” scenario 4% reported being involved with the provision of library services.
Although the higher FTE count across industries seemed to correspond to the existence of a centralized library/information center, and small and medium-size organizations were more common in the no-library scenario, a telling statistic from the solo librarian responses is that not only is the scenario possible across industries but also that it can occur in small and large organizations, even those with as many as 25,000 and 44,000 FTEs.
As much as 96% of respondents confirmed purchasing eBooks, and somewhat surprisingly 68% had print book collections. Interestingly, 82% of those with a print book collection were not interested in digitizing their print. The eBook collections cover a very broad variety of subjects across organizations. (Fig.3 eBook Subject Coverage)
Fig.3. eBook Subject Coverage
eBooks are accessible mostly via the Library/information center intranet site, followed by the content discovery systems. A limited number of respondents:
Fig.4. eBook Access Channels
When it comes to which eBook collections were mentioned most: SpringerNature and Ebsco were most frequently mentioned, followed by Elsevier’s Knovel and ScienceDirect platforms, ProQuest, Wiley and Taylor & Francis; further following were: Access Engineering and Overdrive; while the remainder of the responses included a long list of eBook platforms from ACS, IEEE, McGrawHill, GetAbstract, Amazon, SPIE RSC, OVID, LexisNexis, and others. (Fig.5. EBook Providers / Products)
User feedback is the number one driver of the eBook acquisition process. Immediately following are the usage statistics and document delivery requests; print holdings impact is the least frequent decider of the eBook purchases.
Fig.5. eBook Acquisition Elements
However, in addition to the core acquisition elements above, respondents highlighted cost - both with respect to collection purchase options, the cost benefit analysis and the availability of enterprise wide and one time purchases.
Additionally, adherence to collection development policies and alignment with research mandates were reported to be relevant. Last but not least, the availability of book updates were pertinent. It was also reported that the work from home order during the pandemic offered the opportunity to address open eBook purchase recommendations. (Fig.5. eBook Acquisition Elements)
In summary, the most frequent key functionality features included enterprise-wide access, SAML / SSO authentication, flexible pricing models - such as both one-time purchases and demand-driven purchases, as well as optimal content operation functionality starting with customization features, collaboration options, sharing across teams and content annotation. (Fig.6. Key eBook Functionalities)
When asked about the key functionalities looked for in the eBook platforms, all survey participants agree that ease of use is most important. Easy to use, like journals, resonated across the board; while many added that the most critical is ease of discovery, both with respect to the integration into discovery platforms and search parameters, flexibility in access across platforms and DRM free accessibility.
Fig. 6 Key EBook Functionalities
In summary, the most frequent key functionality features included enterprise-wide access, SAML / SSO authentication, flexible pricing models - such as both one-time purchases and demand-driven purchases, as well as optimal content operation functionality starting with customization features, collaboration options, sharing across teams and content annotation. (Fig.6. Key EBook Functionalities)
eBook ROI
Usage, usage, usage is key: from downloads, views and check-ins, and cost per use calculations, respondents in unison report that usage is the best way to measure the value of their eBook subscriptions.
Only secondary to the statistical evaluation is the qualitative measure: requests and user feedback, adoption as an upgrade to or replacement of print collections, continuous coverage of key subject areas/impact on the discipline, and quality of the data.
Marketing Strategies While respondents reported not always having a developed marketing plan either due to the novelty of eBooks within their content portfolio or the fear of over informing their users, the primary channels of raising awareness of eBook content were the library web sites including discovery platforms and catalogs, training sessions and newsletter/blog/company social media platforms.
Other common practices included utilization of vendor directed training and marketing articles, general library training sessions or orientation for new employees, company intranet as a way to include the library resources in company initiatives, and an annual eBook open house.
Survey Findings Summary Overall, the survey respondents across industries and library/information center scenarios reported an overwhelming adoption level of eBook subscriptions. Whether the respondent was an early adopter of eBook content or a recent purchaser, there was uniform agreement across key functionality requirements and measurement of value. Regardless of industry, respondents were acquiring a broad variety of eBook subjects from a versatile portfolio of publishers and content providers. Flexible content adoption to best fit demand and budget planning are relevant. While library presence on the company intranet is used as the essential marketing mechanism, there is room to expand the reach by utilizing vendor-led training offerings and marketing collateral, as well as to include eBooks in training sessions and virtual library topic events.
