As we continue to offer online instruction, the librarians and staff at the Geoffrey R. Weller Library are working to provide alternative access to the print course reserves collection. Among the readings on course reserves, there are usually a number of course textbooks (e.g. items from the library’s collection, or books loaned to the library by an instructor).
With teaching and learning moving largely online, instructors are asking that print textbooks on reserve be replaced by e-textbooks, to provide better access to students. However, there are numerous textbook publishers that do not permit libraries to purchase electronic textbooks. Many existing course textbooks are simply unavailable to libraries in any other format than print. Textbook publishers have built their profit models around selling textbooks directly to students.
The following publishers are examples of those that will not allow the Library to purchase an e-textbook version of their publications:
This means that in courses that have adopted textbooks by these publishers, students who purchase the print or e-textbook will have access, but the textbook in its entirety will not be available via print or electronic course reserves.
The Geoffrey R. Weller Library encourages instructors to explore and identify viable alternatives to textbook readings, including:
Efforts will be made to secure online materials that are free from digital rights management restrictions (DRM) in order to ensure unfettered student access. DRM includes limits on the number of users that can access a resource at any one time, as well as limits on copying, printing, and downloading. However, often publishers only offer ebooks with DRM.
Instructors are advised to submit course reading lists to the UNBC Copyright Office as soon as possible. The UNBC Copyright Office will:
If faculty wish to consult the library about specific resources, subject librarians are available to provide support.
The above text was adapted with permission from a June 22, 2020 news post by the University of Guelph Library (https://www.lib.uoguelph.ca/news/commercial-textbooks-present-challenges-virtual-environment).