  This exploratory study focuses on identifying the usage pattern of e-books
especially on how, when, where and why undergraduates at the Faculty of
Computer Science and Information Technology (FCSIT), University of Malaya (UM),
Kuala Lumpur use or do not use the e-books service provided by the University
of Malaya library. A total of 206 (82%) useable questionnaires form the basis
of analysis. The results indicate even though the students are heavy users of
the Internet, rate themselves as skilled in Internet use and have positive
attitude towards the e-book service, the level of e-book use is still low
(39%). The students become aware of the e-book service mainly while visiting
the University of Malaya Library Website, or are referred to it by their
lecturers, friends or the librarians. About 70% rate positively on the e-book
service. Those who are users of e-books find e-books easy to use and their
usages are mainly for writing assignment or project work. Most respondents
prefer to use e-versions of textbooks and reference sources. Generally, both
users and non-users of e-books prefer to use the printed version of textbooks
especially if the text is continuously used. There are significant difference
between the frequency of e-book use and gender; between past usage of e-book
and preference for electronic textbooks and reference books. The possible
factors which may be related to e-book use are categorized into 4 groups and
presented in a model, which comprises the ICT competencies of the students,
their cognitive makeup, the degree of user access to the e-books and the
functional or use factors.
