The University library has won two awards from the International Network for Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP) for promoting the use of e-books in the University. The library ran a promotion of e-books last November in collaboration with the Student Council. Result? The use of e-books increased by 200% says University Librarian Mr Bernard Shiundu.
What are e-books? E-books are electronic books. They are available online books that can be accessed by anyone, anywhere and at anytime with an internet connection and a smart device such as a laptop or smart phone or PC.
E-books are the same as printed books found in libraries and bookstores. The only difference is that they are electronic.
A variety of e-books can be accessed from the University library. The books can be accessed when one is on-campus, and off-campus.
Where to access e-books from the library
E-books can be accessed while on this link. The library has three online databases of e-books. They are the World Bank e-library, the OECD Library, and the ebrary. These sites are user friendly, and one can access books on any topic, from politics, art, business, law, history, medicine and many others.
E-books to the rescue of students
Imagine a situation where a lecturer gives an assignment, and very few copies of the books needed for research and reference are available in the library on print which is often the case. Students react by rushing to the library to grab copies of books before their classmates.
Those who are not lucky to get a copy (and they are the majority) have to seek out their classmates and will only get a copy of the book after a classmate has used it. E-books make access to books universal as books become available to all at anytime and anywhere!
With a smart phone or laptop one can read e-books in a matatu, at home, in the cafeteria or wherever. And apart from text books, books of general interest are also available electronically.
Below are two quotable quotes on books
I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book. - Groucho Marx
The man who does not read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them. - Mark Twain, attributed
By Joan Gichomo
