UC Davis's Offering of E-Books are a Flop

It is textbook season again.  Michael returns to school at MSU Bozeman in just a little over a week.

I just saw this in my UC Davis Alumni Magazine (Winter 2009, p. 13) today:

E-Books Un-Wanted 

Students may be quickly embracing the digital world, but not for their textbooks - at least not yet. 

The UC Davis Bookstore was an early provider of "e-books" in fact, one of the first in the country to have an electronic books program - but demand remains small despite their reduced cost, an average of 40% less than new textbooks.

The bookstore offered electronic versions of some 80 titles out of 2,700 this fall but sold only five digital e-books, compared with 106,726 printed books, says Jason Lorgan, book department manager.....

Lorgan enjoys watching students decide between the options. "For the first time in their life, they feel the printed book has value."

That last line (bolded) gives me pause.  Do today's university students value "printed books"?  Is this a remark geared toward the online generation, facebook kids, and texting culture? 

Catherine @ Reading In Montana

Christmas Lingers

Christmas was more than two weeks ago, though I must say there are still lingering signs of it about.  No, we are not one of those families that leaves their Christmas tree up all year because it is so beautiful (we take ours down on New Years Day), but there is extra space in the living room where its presence is missed. We now have a mason jar of candy canes on the kitchen counter that may last into the spring.  We have Christmas turkey in the freezer. My son still runs about shouting "Ho, Ho, Ho!" as he discovered the magic of Santa Claus and Rudolph's red nose this year.  

Catherine @ Reading In Montana

Currently listening to: "The Audacity of Hope" read by the author, Barack Obama

And of course we have a few Christmas themed books, movies, and music up for sale at Reading In Montana now at reduced prices.  Here are a few of the holiday favorites we did not sell out on:

The Day Job - Librarian

I am a Librarian by education and experience. I graduated in June 2008 with a Masters in Library and Information Science (MLIS) through a 3 year online program at the University of Washington iSchool. I have worked at the Bozeman Public Library in Bozeman, Montana since May of 2004 in many different capacities. I began there as a full-time shelver and am now a substitute librarian. The great thing about being a substitute is that I can work in every department of the library and get to do a little bit of everything. The downside is the hours are irregular and sans benefits.

As a librarian I find books for readers. As a bookseller I find readers for books.

Reading In Montana began as two college students (my husband and I) passing on books we no longer had room for in our apartment. In June 2007 we began to purchase and sell books on a regular basis; 2008 was our first full year on Amazon.com; and now in 2009 we are concentrating on growing our business once again. We focus on providing excellent service, honesty, and quality books and other media to our customers. Our 100% Feedback rating shows how much importance we place on customer service.

Because I'm a librarian, as well as a reader and a bookseller I really enjoy helping other people find the books and information they are looking for.  So if you are looking for a particular book, don't hesitate to send us an email at ReadingInMontana@gmail.com.  I can quickly look to see if we have the title, and if not can help you look elsewhere on Amazon or online for what you are seeking. 

Always happy to help - Catherine @ Reading In Montana