Education Law

Are eBooks catching on?

Mobile eBook devices are gaining in popularity.

A new report from Aptara (the second annual one) highlights the growth in the eBook market, but also notes the struggles as this emerging technology evolves.

The report surveyed more than 600 publishers across the trade, professional, and educational markets, revealing that “while 64 percent of publishers are offering titles in an eBook format, the majority of publishers are struggling to maximize eBook profits.”

Key findings in the report include:

“The main eBook production challenge facing publishers is eReader/content format compatibility issues, the same as in our first survey. Even with a nearly universal eBook format standard (EPUB), today’s highly fragmented eReader market makes quality eBook production a moving target.”

“A widespread inability to calculate return on investment (ROI) from eBooks – confirming that most publishers are not employing scalable digital workflows, but rather retrofitting print production process and forgoing significant cost savings.”

“Only 7 percent of publishers are implementing enhancements in their eBooks, suggesting there’s not broad awareness of the EPUB standard’s inherent and existing support for links and A/V enhancements.”

BoardBuzz thinks while there are challenges, eBook publishing will continue to expand.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on December 09, 2010 (boomark / email).