ProQuest has launched a beta version of its new ebook reader, developed with extensive user input and debuting on the ebrary platform. The ebrary Reader delivers a modern experience, with a simple interface, intuitive navigation and user-centered design. The Reader represents the best-in-class user experience being developed for the integrated platform that will unite ProQuest's businesses ebrary and Ebook Library – EBL.
The new ebrary Reader is designed to meet the continually evolving expectations of researchers. Extensive user testing with library patrons, particularly university students in the midst of research projects, steered its development. Copying, printing, downloading and searching within books is streamlined and intuitive navigation gets users to popular features faster. Improved text and page quality boost readability, while new viewing options (including vertical scrolling) give users more control of their reading experience. Further accessibility features for those who are blind or visually impaired will be rolled out later in 2014.
The ebrary Reader was designed from the ground up to work seamlessly across the devices most used by researchers, with a new emphasis on tablets - increasingly popular in libraries. ProQuest expects to conclude beta and go live with the new Reader in August.
