Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

I've seen different posts about this matter, but I would like to get a summary. I mainly get my books as ebooks and I prefer to store them in that edition if they have their own ISBN. I add it, put the cover, combine, no problem with that.

My problem appears when the different format have different ISBNs (one for Microsot Reader, one for Mobipocket, one for eReader). What should I do in that case?

If they have different ISBNs, I think they should all be added as separate editions, IMO.

I would just treat it like multiple paperback editions on the same book with different ISBNs. Each gets its own entry. I personally would keep the format for all as ebook (I have a thing for data normalization).

OK, different eBooks with same ISBN. Thank you, I like the idea. Perhaps with a note about the format (I have a thing for data normalization too, perhaps because I work developing SW for data management ;) )

The edition field would be the best place to specify a type of ebook, I think.

I totally agree, I'm putting now the format into the edition field, so it's shown at the details

I have another question along these lines. I also recently realized that the ebooks I'm reading have their own ISBNs and, like Marisa, would prefer to use that edition. The problem is that I've noticed several times that the ebook editions don't show cover images. For example, I just started Tainted by Julie Kenner. I checked with B&N on my nook and it does show the same cover as what we have for the paperback. In this specific situation, is it appropriate to add the cover image from the paperback to the ebook version? Is it always appropriate, or only if Amazon or B&N show covers? Many times the books I purchase don't download with full covers, so it's hard to tell if that's because of my reader or by intent. I can think of one case where a series is being re-released as ebooks and new covers are being issued for each, so maybe assuming they match is the wrong way to go. What do you guys think? Thanks in advance for your help. I just like to have the covers show when I review my shelves, and also on my blog widgets.

Heh. The cover is up, because I found it at both B&N and several ebook publishers.

Most times, the cover to the ebook is the same as for the paperback, but it is worth checking with other sources (including the publisher, when possible) to confirm that to be the case.

Ok, I'd rather take a few minutes and do it correctly, for my sake and the systems. I don't have the background to know what all of the issues are, so I like to ask. So for the covers, if one were to be missing, if they're on B&N or Amazon we can use them without worrying about copyright, correct? Could we also copy from the publisher's site?

Using covers is generally acceptable under Fair Use.

Thanks, Rivka!