E-books
FEATURE
without notifying the subscribing institution. Most e-book packages include a substantial number of titles that are not relevant to the needs of the subscribing library, including backlist titles that would not generate much revenue if offered individually.’ However, he also noted that ‘when acquired individually, academic e-books cost substantially more than print editions.’
Jisc in the UK has commissioned a report into e-books from Ken Chad Consulting and the project website includes some case studies of e-books in university libraries (see box for link). One example is the University of Newcastle. According to the case study, published in November 2012: ‘Implementing PDA systems has allowed the library to move from a just-in-case stock acquisition model to a just-in-time model. PDA is ensuring higher net usage, user demands are being met more effectively and satisfaction amongst users has increased... PDA has attracted very positive feedback from end-users and the service has now been extended to provide PDA for print books using a fast track request system.’
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However, the case study also noted: ‘PDA operation was challenging, as the initial usage was very high and the library had to work closely with the service provider to ensure that spending patterns became sustainable.’
DRM issues
‘Generally libraries love PDA but there are some limitations. DRM is one of the potential problems. I think PDA can also be quite administratively burdensome, although once processes are more defined there should be greater efficiencies,’ noted Ben Showers, programme manager, digital libraries at Jisc. Jadhav has concerns about DRM on e-books: ‘Many licences require repeated payments for access to content that does not change over time. E-book publishers have taken advantage of the changing digital environment to weaken the legal framework that has traditionally favoured libraries and their patrons,’ he said. He added that ‘licence terms
vary considerably, and the lack of
standardisation is a significant impediment to cost-effective e-book management.’
Bucknell has particular concerns with
DRM if buying e-books via aggregators: ‘We’d prefer DRM-free books and this usually means buying direct from publishers. It’s a more complex process but we’d rather have more hassle at purchase than for the users. We’re seeing more progress with DRM-free content from publishers – and some, like Springer, always took that view. However books can end up with DRM through aggregators platforms.’ His dream would be for publishers to work closer with e-book vendors so that the access to e-books can be on the publishers’ platforms with no DRM. Availability of e-books is another issue that Bucknell highlighted. ‘Textbooks, especially, are the main problem,’ he said. ‘A lot of the books we’d like to get are not e-books or only available to individuals and not to libraries.’ And then, of course, there is cost. As former librarian and now independent research scholar from Kerala, India, Jessie Satyanesan, noted: ‘No single library can afford to purchase all e-books from publishers directly.’ One solution, which seems popular in India,
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