At Fiona’s presentation today UC Academics’ Perspectives of Textbooks I mentioned briefly about the UC Library statement on providing eTextbooks which the Information Resources Working Group developed last year. This statement has now been approved by Library Committee. It will inform our conversations with academics and purchasing practice in 2021 along with alternatives such as OERs and findings from the research on academics perspectives of textbooks.
Libraries worldwide are experiencing growing demand for online access and a changing publishing environment where it is becoming increasingly difficult to provide affordable and equitable access to textbooks. This statement outlines eTextbook models which meet our criteria for purchase within the context of finite financial resources. We will be promoting this more in the coming weeks and on our website but sharing this in the meantime.
Some further reading: