Levine-Clark, Michael, “eBooks as Textbooks: Implications for Libraries and Publishers,” Invited. Cambridge University Press Asia Library Advisory Board (CALAB), University of Hong Kong Libraries, February 23, 2012.

1. eBooks as Textbooks: Implications
for Libraries and Publishers
Michael Levine-Clark
Collections Librarian
University of Denver
Cambridge University Press Asia Library Advisory Board
Hong Kong University
February 23, 2012

2. Categories
Textbooks
Intended for course adoption
Monographs with likelihood of adoption
Intended for research
May be used in a course

3. Textbooks
Libraries don’t traditionally buy
Multiple editions = planned obsolescence
Synthesis rather than original work
Intended only for teaching

4. Textbooks
Cost borne by students
How might libraries absorb cost?
Student fees?

5. Monographs with Potential for
Course Adoption
Libraries traditionally purchase
Publishers worry about impact on
course sales if e-book in library

6. Key Question
How do libraries provide access to these
monographs without damaging
publisher sales?

7. Option One: Single-User Licensing
Library copy can’t serve multiple
students
Students buy their own?
Library buys up to multiple user?
Where does money come from?

8. Option Two: Library Pays Up Front
Higher cost to libraries
How do publishers/libraries know up
front?
Who pays?
What if book isn’t used in courses?

9. Option Three: No Special Model for
Course Adoption
Same access, pricing as other ebooks
Good for library
Sustainable for publishers?

10. Concerns
Loss of access for libraries
Lack of e-availability
Damage to ability to publish

11. Questions
Should libraries collect e-textbooks?
Should libraries pay extra for
monographs used in courses?
If so, how?