Libraries are normally quiet, and they have been even more so during the pandemic. The physical College Library is closed and staff are working mainly from home. However, the Library has had a virtual aspect even from its beginnings in 1906—BC physicians could access librarian support and books through the mail. Now, e-books have made the book collection all the more accessible. In the past year, 70% of new books purchased are in electronic form. Why not 100%? Several reasons: most people prefer reading physical books[1] and have deeper reading experiences, especially with longer tracts of narrative,[2] and electronic books are not always reasonably priced: e-books can be the same price as the physical item but are sometimes even 10 times more expensive. Generally, librarians weigh the anticipated use as educational or in-depth research material (physical book) versus use as a reference tool (e-book), and select the format accordingly.

Regardless of format, books often hold chapters that are gems, not necessarily heralded by a book’s title. Here’s a selection from recent acquisitions:

• “Hypoglycemia in the Toddler and Child,” chapter in: Sperling Pediatric Endocrinology. 2021, e-book.
• “Thyroid Imbalance and Subfertility,” chapter in: Subfertility: Recent Advances in Management and Prevention. 2021, e-book.
• “Nutritional Support in Esophageal Cancer,” chapter in: Esophageal Cancer: Prevention, Diagnosis and Therapy. 2020, e-book.
• “Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders,” chapter in: Neuropalliative Care: A Guide to Improving the Lives of Patients and Families Affected by Neurologic Disease. 2019, e-book.
• “Culturally Appropriate Care,” chapter in: Adolescent Nutrition: Assuring the Needs of Emerging Adults. 2020, e-book.
• “Oppression and Mental Health,” chapter in: Oppression: A Social Determinant of Health. 2012, physical book.

The College Library’s online catalogue (https://szasz.cpsbc.ca [10]) lists almost 1000 electronic and 3000 physical books. Simply use a CPSBC login to view e-books, and contact the library to request physical books through the mail at www.cpsbc.ca/library/services-hours [11] (return postage is included).
—Karen MacDonell
Director, Library Services

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This article is the opinion of the Library of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC and has not been peer reviewed by the BCMJ Editorial Board.

References

1.    Espresso. Economist. Why printed books are still popular. 2016. Accessed 22 April 2021. https://espresso.economist.com/21e8cadba9839cd22bc29597866632e3 [12].

2.    Mangen A, Olivier G, Velay J-L. Comparing comprehension of a long text read in print book and on Kindle: Where in the text and when in the story? Front Psychol 2019. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00038.