School Librarians' Perceptions of Ebooks Study

A recent study used surveys and interviews to analyze how school librarians perceive the usefulness and quality of digital books. This research found that while digital books are widely available in the surveyed districts, usage remains low, and school librarians see digital books as an academic tool, rather than an option for leisure reading. The researchers recommend school libraries pursue a model that embraces digital reading and annotation as a competency.

Vallée. E. &  Trespalacios, J. (2026). Exploring school librarians’ perceptions of digital books. School Library Research, 29.  https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/2026-10/valleeandtrespalacios.pdf

Book Digitalization and Print Demand Study

Abstract: The free digital distribution of creative works could cannibalize demand for physical versions, but it could also boost physical sales by enabling consumers to discover the original work. We study the impact of the Google Books digitization project on the market for physical books. We find that digitization significantly boosts the demand for physical versions and provide evidence for the discovery channel. Moreover, digitization allows independent publishers to introduce new editions for existing books, further increasing sales. Our results highlight the potential of free digital distribution to strengthen the demand for and supply of physical products.

Nagaraj, Abhishek, and Imke Reimers. 2023. "Digitization and the Market for Physical Works: Evidence from the Google Books Project." American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 15 (4): 428-58. DOI: 10.1257/pol.20210702

Print versus digital books research

 "While a recent study concluded that paper books yielded better comprehension than e-books when many of the digital tools had been removed, the effect sizes were small. A 2021 meta-analysis further muddies the water: When digital and paper books are “mostly similar,” kids comprehend the print version more readily—but when enhancements like motion and sound “target the story content,” e-books generally have the edge. There’s plenty of evidence that writing with pen and paper encodes learning more deeply than typing. But new digital book formats come preloaded with powerful tools that allow readers to annotate, look up words, answer embedded questions, and share their thinking with other readers." (excerpted from Eutopia)

Furenes, M. I., Kucirkova, N., & Bus, A. G. (2021). A Comparison of Children’s Reading on Paper Versus Screen: A Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research, 91(4), 483–517. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654321998074