OK, the last topic for IUL2.0! Anyone feeling sentimental? Hand raise? Head shake?
I pulled up CSS mastery: advanced web standards solutions by Andy Budd on NetLibrary (I wasn’t able to download it). I can see the usefulness of having reference books such as this one in electronic format. I can save a copy and consult it when needed with the capability of searching full-text. I wouldn’t want to screen-read for leisure titles. Who works at a computer for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Hand raise.
On the other hand, as a student, I loved seeing a hyperlink in the catalog to full-text, allowing me to see immediately whether or not the item was relevant to my needs. Similarly, I have browsed out-of-print books on Google Books Search, which unlike NetLibrary, reproduces and displays title pages. No title pages? NetLibrary, are you serious? Head shake.
When perusing NetLibrary, I often found myself wondering whether a book I was looking at was born digital or was merely a digital copy. Do ebooks have unique ISBNs? What would a FRBRized record look like?
Who’s gearing up for cataloging ebooks?
Jen raises hand.
Reader shakes head.
Playing in Puddles 