School Librarians' Perception of Adopting E-books in their School Media Centers: A Multiple-case Study

The focus of this investigation is how elementary school librarians are facing the challenges of changing their school media centers to be mainly based on digital materials such as e-books. Library resources have increasingly become available in digitalized form but some school librarians are not acquiring e-books in their collections; currently, over 44% of school library collections do not include e-books. New media innovation, such as adoption of e-books for school libraries, involves a constant tension between determination and contingency, or between order and uncertainty for personnel involved in the adoption process. The problem is information professionals continue dealing mostly with printed materials, and many appear challenged with, and resistant to changing their student media centers to be mainly based on digital materials, especially on e-books. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how school information professionals perceive the challenges of adopting new technologies such as e-books within their organizations. This exploratory research study used a multiple-case study research design. The researcher conducted seven in-depth face-to-face individual interviews with school information professionals at public elementary schools in the state of New Jersey. The unit of analysis for this study was the library information professionals in public schools that serve students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade. Most of the school librarians view e-books as a useful teaching tool, particularly when features are used. Participants have concerns that features such as narration may prevent students from actually reading the story or decoding words. Some school librarians prefer print books over e-books, yet purchased e-books or a subscription to e-books for their school library collections. Findings reveal that budget cuts are impeding purchases of digital materials. Several participants mentioned having to maintain print collections while adding e-books and other digital materials to their collections. Participants also mentioned lack of enough devices for full classes in the media center or technology infrastructure issues that prevent the use of devices. While some information professionals have concerns about cuts in library positions due to adoption of e-books, others find that using these resources can create a positive impact.