Integrating e-Books into Academic Libraries: A Literature Review

Academic libraries continue to face challenges of physical space, changing access demands from technology, and the delivery and accessibility of resources to populations both on- and off-campus. To address these challenges, academic libraries increasingly turn to e-books to build and supplement existing print collections. This review article examines the various streams within the library and information science literature related to e-book adoption in academic libraries. Topics within the literature examined include e-book technology, academic library adoption, cost, and modes of reading. This review of the literature is relevant to all academic librarians and administrators engaged in collection development decisions.