Electronic books: A call for effective business models

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to assert that, in an effort to more effectively match users' needs to purchases and extend the buying power of library budgets for e-books, libraries should use a profiled purchase on demand option to supplement their current practices. Design/methodology/approach: The paper reviews usage patterns for print and e-books, business models for e-books and comments on the benefits of using a patron-driven acquisitions model. Findings: Circulation of the print collection is slowly declining, with only 20 per cent of the collection circulating in 2009. Large purchased collections of e-books statistics are roughly the same but those purchased through Patron-Driven Acquisitions are assured use.Originality/value:The discussion of current business models for e-books illustrates some challenges libraries face in transitioning from print to electronic. Patron-driven models allow libraries to help users at point of need and manage scarce resources. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.