An e-book is a digital version, consisting of text, images, or both, and produced, published, and read via computer or other electronic devices.
Sometimes it is the equivalent of a conventional printed book, the e-book can also be born digitally. E-books are read either to specialized e-book readers, personal computers, and most mobile phones.
eBooks can be created using eBook Software. One example is Sqribble.
In 2010, the Public Library Funding and Technology Access study found that 66% of public libraries in the US offered e-books and a large movement in the library industry began to seriously consider issues related to e-book lending, recognizing their widespread use as a focal point.
However, some publishers and authors do not approve of the idea of electronic publishing citing issues such as demand, piracy, and proprietary devices.
Advantages
An e-book can be offered indefinitely without ever being "exhausted".
In the space where an e-reader catches a book in print, it can potentially contain thousands of e-books limited only by its capacity.
E-book websites can include the ability to translate books into many different languages, making the works available in languages that are not available in printed translations.
Depending on the device, an e-book can be readable in low light or even in total darkness.
Readers can display movement, magnification, font change, use Text-to-speech software to read the text aloud to people with large or small vision problems, to the elderly, and dyslexics. Also, search for key terms, find definitions, or be allowed to underline and note, and use bookmarks.
There is no cost of binding, transporting, marking, or repairing damages.
E-books can be printed at a lower cost than traditional books using new book printers.
Paper and ink are not consumed for the production of e-books. The necessary computer or e-reader uses fewer materials. Printed books use 3 times more raw materials and 78 times more water for their production.
Depending on digital rights, it is possible to back up e-books that can be recovered in case of loss or damage. It may also be possible to recover a new copy at no cost.
The possibility of using usage statistics is an important comparative advantage provided by e-books.
E-books can be selected either as individual titles or as part of a collection.
Advantages of selecting individual titles
Select only titles you want
You don't buy securities you may already have
Search results come only from the books you select
Advantages of selecting collections
Dramatically lower cost per book title
Much smaller work required
Selection does not require specialized knowledge in any subject