Using a combination of surveys and interviews

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Purpose -This paper aims to provide an overview of current research on the use of e-books and e-book readers as they gain popularity in libraries. Design/methodology/approach -The paper is a literature review and a case study of a public library which has a Kindle lending program. An e-book case study is examined, highlighting a mid-sized public library which implemented a Kindle e-book lending program. The article includes a follow-up discussion as to how libraries are including digital content in their collections, and changing the way they do business to accommodate the new technologies that people are increasingly asking for. The paper also gives tools for librarians looking to start their own e-book lending program, and provide additional information on what resources are currently available. Findings -One conclusion can be made. E-books will not be going away any time soon. The Kindle lending program at the library has been extremely successful and well received by patrons Research limitations/implications -Because of this very small case study approach, the research results may not be generalizable. Originality/value -This research trend is new, and has not had much study. It gives a wide variety of opportunity for pilot studies, and subsequent ones.

PurposeTo provide a comparative review of the teaching of Readers' Advisory Services in schools of library and information science in selected schools in the USA, Canada and Europe.Design/methodology/approachAfter reviewing the literature, schools are selected based on their known activity in providing readers' advisory service courses or on their national ranking (in the case of US schools) to provide a snapshot of current level of readers' advisory instruction.FindingsInstruction in readers' advisory services is a very small part of the total curriculum in schools examined. Librarians who wish to gain more insight to readers' advisory services must depend on continuing education opportunities, such as workshops and conference programs, not on courses in the curriculum of schools of library and information science.Originality/valueThis paper raises questions as to the relationship between library and information science curricula and the needs of practicing librarians to provide services to leisure readers. It finds that, despite an increased interest in providing readers' advisory services in libraries, library education is not responding to that need and continuing education and training programs are essential to providing librarians who are well prepared to serve leisure readers. For schools which are contemplating adding coursework in these areas, the case studies detail courses as they are offered at other institutions.