E-book e biblioteche: una realtà in movimento: Alcune considerazioni dal versante universitario

The article carries out a general survey on e-books. The question about the features needed by a document to be considered an e-book is first examined. The authors state that an e-book has to be portable and easy readable, so an e-text has to be coupled with a device specifically devoted to reading. The authors give also an account of the principal reading devices. An analysis of some widespread digital formats and types of screen is also conducted. The authors, moreover, outline the state of the art of the Digital Rights Management. A survey is conducted about the e-book market at present and relating to its trends. Attention is specially focused on the market (at present and relating to its trends) and on the impact of e-books in university libraries.