The University and College Union (UCU) has called on the government to ask the Competitions and Market Authority to review the academic e-book market to ensure that research and information is more affordable for staff, students and institutions.In a letter to universities minister, Michelle Donelan, UCU General Secretary, Dr Jo Grady writes, A few key … Continue reading Union demands regulator step in and review e-book industry
Senior National Health Service information professionals call for action on ebooks
In an unprecedented move, senior information professionals working in UK National Health Service (NHS) have issued a statement supporting our call for action on ebooks. It reads, Access to up-to-date information is critical for supporting day-to-day decision making in health and care. To deliver high quality care and support to patients, service users, carers and … Continue reading Senior National Health Service information professionals call for action on ebooks
Outrage as Pearson increase ebook prices by 500% in one week
#ebooksos were dismayed to learn yesterday that Pearson Education UK intend to increase the price of their ebooks by 500% on December 6th. Pearson were one of the few publishers with ebook prices that mirrored their hardcopy prices. Librarians are now faced with just a week to review their Pearson ebook licence holdings before the … Continue reading Outrage as Pearson increase ebook prices by 500% in one week
Support received from Business Librarians Association and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
It may appear that all has gone quiet on the #ebooksos front but this is far from the truth. We are all still very busy building support for an investigation into the ebook market. We are delighted to have recently received support from Sjoukje Schots, Chair of the Business Librarians Association and Gerald Leitner, Secretary … Continue reading Support received from Business Librarians Association and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
Johanna Anderson wins “inspiring colleague award” in university staff excellence awards for her work on #Ebooksos
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5buKdmlMmU&t=1847s&ab_channel=universityofglos We reported some weeks ago that Johanna Anderson had been nominated twice for a "inspiring colleague" award in the 2021 University of Gloucestershire staff excellence awards in recognition of her work on #ebooksos. Johanna was delighted to learn today that she won the award. You can watch the moment it was announced in the … Continue reading Johanna Anderson wins “inspiring colleague award” in university staff excellence awards for her work on #Ebooksos
Can my students read my books? : Guidance for academics on negotiating contracts with publishers
Background : what is the problem? 1 If you’re writing an academic book, you presumably want your students to read it. To do that, you’re going to want your library to be able to buy it as an ebook. Sounds simple? It’s not. Most academic libraries buy ebooks whenever we can. This is to make … Continue reading Can my students read my books? : Guidance for academics on negotiating contracts with publishers
Victory on ebook restrictions
Stephen Grace, Deputy Head of Library and Learning Resources at London South Bank University. Stephen leads the team that manages library and archive collections and systems. The #ebooksos campaign has brought to wider attentions many problems in the ebook/extextbook market, and it may not be easy to resolve them all in a hurry, so I … Continue reading Victory on ebook restrictions
Professor Charles Oppenheim awards HE Minister 0% for effort and calls for face-to-face meeting
Yesterday, we received a very odd letter from Michelle Donelan MP, which left us all scratching our heads in bemusement. The letter can be read here At a loss for words, for a change, the campaign team handed over the reigns to the esteemed Professor Oppenheim. Please find his analysis of the Minister's letter below. … Continue reading Professor Charles Oppenheim awards HE Minister 0% for effort and calls for face-to-face meeting
Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University backs #ebooksos
A third Vice Chancellor has added their name to the 54 pages of signatures we now have to our open letter. Thank you to Rama Thirunamachandran for your support! As we have said many times, if we have any hope of change, we need senior figures in Higher Education to speak up and support us. … Continue reading Vice-Chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University backs #ebooksos