Extension releases e-books
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is the first college at Virginia Tech to provide publications in an e-book format, which is an easy, convenient, and environmentally friendly way to disseminate valuable and practical information. Virginia Cooperative Extension’s free publications are available for iPads, iPhones, and iPod touch. The e-books will soon be available for other e-readers.
Extension publications posted on the Web received more than 4 million page views in 2011. Given the large volume of requests for publications, that number is expected to spike this year. To meet that demand, Extension will release e-books every month that reflect its most well-read publications which are relevant to the respective season.
Extension specialists write hundreds of peer-reviewed publications every year. They are filled with engaging content that addresses key issues in agriculture; finance; animals; home and family; community development; lawn and garden; the environment; and foods, nutrition and health. Learn how to download the e-books.
The titles now available for e-books include:
- “Boiling Water Bath Canning – Including Jams, Jellies, and Pickled Products,” Extension Publication 348-594
- “Pruning Peach Trees,” Extension Publication 422-020
- “Aerating Your Lawn,” Extension Publication 430-002
Beginning in June, Extension will start releasing the following popular titles
- “Selecting Landscape Plants: Ground Covers,” Extension Publication 426-609
- “Boxwood in the Landscape,” Extension Publication 426-603
“The e-books reflect our commitment to reach larger and more diverse audiences,” said Ed Jones, director of Extension. “These e-books provide another valuable tool for putting knowledge into the hands of the people.”
E-books have many advantages, including their light weight, easy portability, and small size. Readers can flip over the pages of the digital book just as easily as they turn the pages of a hardcover or paperback book. Readers can search for keywords as well as copy and email content.
Extension publications will continue to be available for desktop and laptop users.
