In “Breaking old habits: How libraries can lead the pivot to institution-wide eTextbook provision”, Kathleen Folger from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, USA, and Esther Arens at the University of Leicester, UK, presented their libraries’ involvement with Cambridge eTextbooks, including how their patrons benefit.

Kathleen noted the ever-increasing importance of textbook affordability, access, and equity for students – themes mentioned at several Charleston sessions. Following high usage among some mathematics and engineering Cambridge eTextbooks, Michigan instituted a one-year pilot for the full collection, inviting faculty to partner with the library to address the above concerns. Kathleen commented that Cambridge’s willingness to allow libraries to provide eTextbooks for students is vital: campus-wide accessibility to eTextbooks is often more difficult to obtain than the funds to procure them.

Esther explained that Leicester sees eTextbook provision as similar to that for other resources: content available on a shared basis for teaching, learning, and research. While the functionality typically associated with eTextbooks, including annotations and copy/paste/print, aren’t being used to their full potential, access to the quality content is; usage has been high, providing good value for money.

Both librarians pointed out that while perpetual access to eTextbooks is preferred, the subscription model Cambridge offers is reasonable, especially as it includes new editions of existing titles and newly-published titles during the subscription period. Esther also noted a growing sentiment among librarians that libraries don’t need to own everything, that a combination of owned, licensed, and shared content makes much more sense.

More information about the Charleston Conference is available here.