CILIP, the library and information association, has been working with a number of stakeholders including #ebooksos on a project looking into the broken e-book market. The project is called Unlocking eBooks and has delivered a literature review and a set of case studies which are available to read on their Unlocking eBooks website.
Findings from the research show that "several barriers are holding back eBook uptake and the impact of publicly-supported libraries, limiting access to scientific knowledge, learning, research, innovation, and opportunities for economic growth". These include the growing cost of eBooks, causing problems for colleges and universities attempting to provide resources while balancing budgets; restrictive licenses, limiting concurrent users and also enforcing short loan times; and complex licensing rules. Furthermore, libraries do not own the copies meaning that they can be withdrawn from collections; costs can hike up or electronic versions are not available for new editions; eBooks can not be inter-loaned. The case studies document is very interesting, frustrating and really worth a read.
We have had this problem in the library, where new editions of eBooks can regularly cost £500 or more for a single-user license.
If you are interested in this issue, please visit CILIP's Unlocking eBooks page, and you can scroll down to find template letters to send to your MP and even the Education Committee in the House of Commons. The #ebooksos campaign page also has a lot of useful information and this informative video.
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