Textbooks as eBooks -- A Case Study from the University Library of Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract

This article features the provision of textbooks in electronic form by the University Library of Stockholm (SUB) in Stockholm, Sweden. The main objective of SUB was to find ways to manage textbooks. With the intention of helping students find the required literature for each course, the SUB created an online database containing lists of required textbooks for all university courses. The electronic book (eBook) group of SUB and eLib had discussed creating an Book service for academic libraries. After some discussion, eLib and SUB decided to try to adapt the public library system to the academic market. To download the eBooks, students identified themselves with their SUB library ticket number. The students could view an eBook on the computer using Adobe computer software. There was no need for any adjustments of the libraries' other systems. Most of the students said that the idea of textbooks as eBooks was good. None of its users made any comments addressing the fact that one has to pay for the download. Since its completion, SUB have continued to acquire eBooks from ebrary, netLibrary and directly from publishers. The usage statistics on eBooks are high and many of its users are pleased with its format.