From the California Digital Library (CDL): “Ebook Usability Report on Aggregator Platforms: A Case Study of EBSCO and ProQuest”

From the California Digital Library (CDL): 

 Following the University of California Ebook Usability Common Knowledge Group’s (EUCKG) analysis of 3 publisher platforms (Cambridge, Elsevier, and Wiley) and the publication of an initial report, the EUCKG received feedback to evaluate ebook aggregators to see how they perform against similar usability criteria. The criteria focuses on users’ features related to user interfaces, reader compatibility, and ebook purchasing and licensing terms. The UC Libraries primarily use two major ebook aggregators: ProQuest’s Ebook Central (EBC) and EBSCOhost for Ebooks. The EUCKG analyzed these two platforms using similar criteria to those used in the first report, to identify larger trends, helpful features, and areas for improvement.

The Ebook Platform Usability Report – Aggregators: A Case Study of EBSCO and ProQuest was developed between 2020 and 2024.

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The findings in this report on ProQuest and EBSCO ebook platforms allows us to have a better understanding of aggregator platforms in order to purchase content on platforms that optimize user experience. Additionally, our ongoing advocacy for ebook usability remains critical to ensure our users have access to a quality experience with library resources.

Disclaimer: As is the case with any interface analysis, the information and conclusions of this report reflect the platforms at the time of their evaluation. As vendors change their interfaces and licensing offerings, this document may become increasingly out of date.

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Direct to Full Text Report:  The Ebook Platform Usability Report – Aggregators: A Case Study of EBSCO and ProQuest
34 pages; PDF.

Filed under: Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Digital Collections, EBSCO, Elsevier, Interactive Tools, Libraries, News, Patrons and Users, Publishing