The adoption of e-books theoretically brings several benefits: easier patron access and library cost and space savings are just a few. However, Digital Rights Management (DRM) implementation, although �necessary� from a publisher standpoint, needs to be streamlined and simplified in order to provide the most ease of use. This talk will discuss some issues that have arisen at the University of Florida Marston Science Library with regards to e-books, where there are currently 31 different e-book platforms available. Most issues have involved explaining procedures to patrons, including checkout, download and printing restrictions. These policies can vary widely among publishers, making it very confusing for patrons. Some potential avenues for both patron and librarian education will be presented. From a collection development standpoint, DRM potentially thwarts regional collaborative collection building that is becoming a priority as library budgets continue to erode. Examples and recommendations in this area will also be discussed.

Digital rights management and e-books: Perspectives from a research library

244th National Meeting (2012)

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