ABSTRACT In recent years, eBook collections have been increasing at a slow but steady rate in both public and academic libraries. With the increasing eBook collections in libraries and the advancements made in information discovering services, users can now discover materials existing outside of their local library more easily. EBooks also offer the potential for quick interlibrary loan delivery. Ironically, eBook interlibrary loan has not become prevalent in libraries. Many studies have been done to explore eBook licensing and interlibrary loan in academic libraries and to offer practical solutions for eBook interlibrary lending. Few studies have been done in public libraries. This study explores the current practice of eBook interlibrary loan activities in American public libraries. Survey questionnaires were distributed to 118 randomly selected public libraries. Questions focused on current eBook interlibrary loan best practices, issues, and obstacles in American public libraries. Findings from this study indicate eBook ILL is not a priority for the surveyed public libraries, and the adoption rate of eBook ILL in public libraries is much lower than that in academic libraries.

中文翻译：

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美国公共图书馆电子书馆际互借

摘要 近年来，公共图书馆和学术图书馆的电子书收藏量一直在以缓慢但稳定的速度增长。随着图书馆电子书收藏的增加和信息发现服务的进步，用户现在可以更轻松地发现本地图书馆之外的资料。电子书还提供了快速交付馆际互借的潜力。具有讽刺意味的是，电子书馆际互借在图书馆中并未普及。已经进行了许多研究以探索学术图书馆的电子书许可和馆际互借，并为电子书馆际互借提供实用的解决方案。公共图书馆的研究很少。本研究探讨了美国公共图书馆电子书馆际互借活动的现状。调查问卷分发到 118 个随机选择的公共图书馆。问题集中在美国公共图书馆当前的电子书馆际互借最佳实践、问题和障碍。本研究结果表明，电子书 ILL 不是被调查的公共图书馆优先考虑的问题，公共图书馆电子书 ILL 的采用率远低于学术图书馆。