NEW YORK – November 9, 2009 – As eBook sales continue to grow, many publishers are finding themselves in new and unfamiliar territory: What do readers want; which formats do they prefer; and how much are they willing to pay for digital content?

To answers these critical questions, the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) recently launched a research project, “Consumer Attitudes toward eBook Reading”, to evaluate readers’ actual interest in and preferences for digital content, and the factors that influence their reading habits and purchasing decisions. The initial look at the first round data from the ongoing survey will be presented at Digital Book World on January 27, 2010, as part of a morning program that will address the issue of eBooks: Opportunity or Threat?

“We’re delighted that BISG and RR Bowker chose Digital Book World to share the initial findings of this much-anticipated research,” says Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, Director of Audience Development for Digital Book World. “The study comes at a critical time for publishers, and is a perfect fit for our overall program, which emphasizes fundamental strategies over individual channels and the latest tools. There’s far more speculation and punditry than hard data about eBooks, and the BISG/Bowker research will provide the kind of actionable data publishers can use to develop strategic plans that can be integrated and implemented today, not five years down the road.”

Earlier this month BISG launched a widespread U.S. Census-based survey of hundreds of actual e-book consumers. Over the course of nine months (Nov 2009 – July 2010), survey respondents are being asked a series of questions aimed at gathering an understanding of their real-time eBook purchase and reading habits. During the Today’s eBook Consumer session at Digital Book World, Angela Bole, BISG’s Deputy Executive Director, will introduce Kelly Gallagher, Vice President of Publishing Services, RR Bowker, who will share, for the first time, a selection of actionable data points from this pioneering research.

The inaugural Digital Book World conference will be presented by F+W Media and Publisher’s Lunch on January 26-27, 2010 at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers. Digital Book World is the first conference of its kind designed to help consumer publishers maximize their assets in the short term while developing and executing a digital strategy for the long-term.

Find a schedule-at-a glance and learn more about Digital Book World programs and events and register by November 20 for a discounted early rate to the Conference at www.digitalbookworld.com or follow @digibookworld on Twitter or join the Digital Book World group on LinkedIn.