Library staff have continuously explored approaches to how we acquire required course readings, to ensure that students have access to material online. This work is complicated by textbook publishers who do not provide electronic purchasing options for libraries. Many existing course textbooks are simply unavailable for any library to own in formats other than print. E-textbooks available for sale on publisher websites are for individual use only, and not available to the academic library marketplace. We are also seeing a greater number of publishers offer libraries textbook "leasing" or rental options, which can be costly and does not provide sustainable access to resources.
Textbook publishers are building their business models around selling access to e-textbooks directly to students. Many textbook publishers do offer e-textbook rental for some titles as a somewhat more affordable alternative, but these rentals are term-limited and expire, depriving students of continued access to their learning materials throughout their student careers. This business strategy also serves to shrink the secondary market in used textbooks, which had offered a more affordable means for students to own or share their required texts.
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). Last updated Jan. 2024
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