Azusa Pacific University boasted some of the highest usage during their trial that we had ever seen. So of course, we had to sit down and ask their librarian Denise Gehring if she had any secrets to share!
What made you want to trial the Digital Library?
We had a request from business faculty member to purchase the digital library. However before we purchased we wanted to be sure that students and faculty would use it so we set up the trial.
What prompted you to purchase it?
Usage response was excellent for the trial. Also we consulted other business faculty to see if they thought the resources would be helpful for teaching and learning. Both business faculty and our business librarian encouraged the students to use the digital library. Our business librarian had 5 previously scheduled library workshops in which she spent a little time showing them how to access the digital library.
We also really liked the fact that there are very few restrictions on your product such as unlimited simultaneous use, no DRM, downloadable PDFs, availability of MARC records, and no yearly fees.
What's your opinion on e-books in libraries today in general?
I think that eBooks are becoming a common trend. This year our library has had more of a focus on purchasing eBooks. We have set up agreements with several vendors to allow for librarians to have more of a choice in selection. EBooks are preferred resource among younger patrons; in addition we are starting to see that professors especially those who have distance education programs prefer the eBook format.
Do you have an e-reader? If so, what kind?
No, I don’t; although, I have the kindle and nook app on my Droid and laptop.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Meet the Author: Dr. Bill Judge
Dr. Bill Judge is the author of one of the newest Business Expert Press books, Building Organizational Capacity for Change: The Strategic Leader's New Mandate. Additionally, Dr. Judge is the E.V. Williams Chair of Strategic Leadership and Professor of Strategic Management in the Management Department at the College of Business & Public Administration at Old Dominion University. Dr. Judge’s teaching, research, and consulting expertise is in the area of strategic leadership and organizational change. Dr. Judge currently serves as the Editor-in-Chief of "Corporate Governance: An International Review."
BEP: Can you tell us a bit about your latest book?
Judge: Very little is known about the future except that change will be required. Unfortunately, our organizations are built for stability, not change. As a result, the strategic leader’s new mandate is to help increase their organization’s capacity for change for the future. This book provides a comprehensive roadmap for doing this.
BEP: What are the top trends in your area(s)?
Judge: My area of expertise is strategic leadership. Strategic leaders are upper echelon executives who are responsible for the long-term success and effectiveness of their organizations. Strategic leaders who are succeeding today are the ones who can balance competing imperatives – producing in the short-term while preparing for the long-term, hitting the numbers while honoring the organization values, and making sure that everyone is held accountable for their actions and results while permitting the freedom to be innovative and creative. There are many dilemmas and paradoxes that today’s leaders need to transcend.
BEP: What do you like best about using e-books? Do you own an e-book reader?
Judge: There are four things that I like about ebooks. First, I can gain access to the ebook faster than a hardcopy. Second, it usually costs less than the printed version. Third, ebooks more environmentally friendly. And fourth, ebooks are more compact to carry around than a stack of books.
I currently own an ipad. It was given to me by a former student who knew that I might enjoy using it. I do enjoy using it, but my kids sometimes use it more than I do!
BEP: What made you decide to publish with Business Expert Press?
I liked the concept of shorter, more concise books that can be read on a long plane ride by busy executives. I have a long and deep respect for Mason Carpenter, the strategic management collection editor and a growing respect for David Parker, the President of the operation. Finally, I talked with an author who had worked with BEP previously and he had a glowing report of his experience with BEP.
BEP: Have you read any other Business Expert Press books, and if so, which one was your favorite?
Judge: I have read three other BEP books previously. My favorite was written by Mason Carpenter entitled, “An Executive’s Primer on the Strategy of Social Networks.” I found the book to be very readable, concise, and chock full of practical insights.
BEP: What prompted you to write this book?
Judge: This book summarizes over ten years of research and teaching that I have done regarding organizational capacity for change for MBA and Executive MBA students. I will use this book in my consulting with executives and teaching of MBA students, and I hope that it may be of some value to other instructors or executives interested in strategic leadership and change.
BEP: What were your favorite business courses when you were in school?
Judge: My favorite business courses in my MBA program were my strategic management courses. Perhaps that is why I became a strategy professor! Prior to getting an MBA, I worked at a Fortune 200 firm as a strategic planning analyst. I find the classic strategy problem to be complex and fascinating - where do we want to go, and how do we get there? In my experience, the ‘how we get there’ part is the hardest and where I have devoted my life to studying and and understanding.
BEP: What do you like to do when you're not working?
Judge: My passion is sailing. When at home, I sail on the Chesapeake Bay. Last summer, I ticked an item off my ‘bucket list’ by sailing across the Atlantic Ocean.
BEP: What was the best non-business book you read recently?
Judge: There are so many! I guess one of the most recent books was written by James Hansen entitled "Storms of my Grandchildren.” I learned a lot about global warming, the politics and misinformation behind our inaction, and some practical policy options for averting a global catastrophe. In addition, I deeply admired how Hansen stepped out of his comfort zone to try to do his part to wake everyone up to the looming disaster that confronts us all.
Check out Dr. Bill Judge's book today!
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Welcome to Business Expert Press!
Hello, and welcome to Business Expert Press's latest endeavor: our blog.
In this blog, we'll share interviews and behind the scenes looks at our authors, editors, and the staff that make Business Expert Press great. We'll also be sharing interviews with business librarians, faculty, and students who are using Business Expert Press's Digital Library at their institutions.
Business Expert Press prides itself in being on the cutting edge with our e-book technology and Digital Library systems, and now we're at the cutting edge of social media as well! Follow us and friend us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn and stay in touch!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)