Electronic books have long been a dream of both computer and book enthusiasts. They take up less space, are more portable, more durable, and contain editing features that are not available with ordinary books.

The Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) at NIST and the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) are hosting a workshop, Electronic Book '98 at NIST on October 8-9, 1998. The focus of the workshop will be on portable devices which integrate displays and storage media for new learning, work, and entertainment tools, e.g. hand-held electronic books, advanced inventory managers, and personal digital assistants.

The goal of this workshop is to illustrate the capabilities of a hand held electronic book (E-Book) and explore the integration technologies that will turn the E-Book from an emerging prototype into a commercially available product. This workshop aims to assemble and collect ideas from publishers, portable storage manufacturers, information technology experts, teachers, computer industry leaders, display manufacturers, electronic book developers, on-line bookstores, touch screen manufacturers, and personal digital assistant manufacturers.

Topics directly related to electronic books that the workshop will explore include current E-Book concepts and prototypes, GUI interfaces and software for electronic books, storage devices for electronic content, standards and inter operability for electronic books, and applications of flat panel displays for electronic book readers.

The conclusion of the workshop will bring a better understanding of the obstacles and advances in technology toward making electronic books a new platform for knowledge management and dissemination.