Textbook affordability is there a role for the library
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TEXTBOOK AFFORDABILITY: IS THERE A ROLE FOR THE LIBRARY? Charles Lyons ([email protected]) Dean Hendrix ([email protected] ) NASIG Annual Conference June 8, 2013 Image: Anne Holly, author, Textbook Romance
description
Try searching the library catalog, as many students do each semester, for the latest version of the textbook being used in a class at many universities and you will likely come up empty-handed. Many academic libraries – due to high prices, frequently-issued new editions, and a tendency to go missing from the collection – have justifiably chosen to play only a marginal role in the provision of textbooks on campus. However, the dynamics of the textbook market are changing rapidly and this presentation will explore the question: should libraries reconsider the roles they play in the provision of course materials on campus? This session will focus on the issue of affordability in the context of the rapid evolution and increased availability of e-textbooks (electronic versions of textbooks). Topics covered will include: --an overview of the e-textbook market. --purchasing options and outlets for e-textbooks. --new business models for institutional access to e-textbooks. --potential savings from e-textbook adoptions. --information on negotiating with publishers and platform providers. --why the library is well-positioned to play a prominent role in the provision of e-textbooks.
Transcript of Textbook affordability is there a role for the library
TEXTBOOK AFFORDABILITY:IS THERE A ROLE FOR THE LIBRARY?
Charles Lyons ([email protected])Dean Hendrix([email protected])NASIG Annual ConferenceJune 8, 2013
Image: Anne Holly, author, Textbook Romance
Textbooks Simply Cost Too Much
Source: UB Libraries Digital Collections
Today it’s 20%
Libraries and
Textbooks: It’s Always
Been a Rocky
Relationship
Source: Proquest Historical Newspapers
The Classic Textbook Role for Libraries
Source: SUNY Geneseo Milne Library
The Emergence of e-Textbooks: Time for Libraries to Re-Think Roles
Source: OnlineEducation.net
1. Traditional Publishers• Negotiating with traditional publishers for lower
prices (often by buying in bulk).
2. Open Textbooks• Creating alternatives to compete with
traditional textbooks… free ones!
3. Information Disclosure• Informing instructors, students, and
administrators about options for saving money
3 Approaches to Affordability
PILOTS AT UBe-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
Deploying e-Textbook Pilots at UB to Explore These Key Questions
Status• What are the features of today’s e-
textbooks?
Preference • Do students like/want e-textbooks?
Affordability • Can e-textbooks lower prices?
Biz Models • What are sustainable business models?
Outcomes• Can e-textbooks improve learning
outcomes?
Library Roles • Where does the library fit?
• Students in participating classes given free access to the electronic version of the required textbook
1. Course Based
• A group of students given free access to up to any 12 e-textbooks they choose
2. Student Based
• Course based pilot but using courses across three SUNY campuses
3. Multi-Campus
• Traditional library model: IP authenticated, campus wide access to an e-textbook
4. Site License
4 Distinct e-Textbook Pilots
• 850 students, 5 courses, Courseload platform, McGraw Hill as Publisher, Fall 2012
1. Course Based
• 300 Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) students CourseSmart platform, Spring 2013
2. Student Based
• 443 students, 6 courses, 3 SUNY’s, 6 publishers, CourseSmart, Spring 2013
3. Multi-Campus
• Nature’s Principles of Biology, campus wide access to limited version, FY 2012-13
4. Site License
4 Distinct e-Textbook Pilots (more)
• Learning Management System: use the LMS to manage access is an emerging best practice
• Identity / Privacy: managing student data securely is very important!
Identity Management
e-Textbook Pilots: Other Lessons Learned
• Support: providing help/support during pilots was NOT as heavy as expected
• Accessibility: most vendors are behind
• Faculty education is needed
• Length of access: need more options
CURRENT STATUS OF E-TEXTBOOKS
e-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
Offline: Read without
Internet connection
Analytics: big
brother is watching!
Social features: sharing
notes & hi-lites
STUDENT PREFERENCEe-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
e-Textbooks: Student Likes and Dislikes Based on Our Survey Data
Cheaper
More portable
Environmentally friendly
Searching
Screen reading
Online distractions
Flipping around
Internet connection
Like
sD
islikes
30%
30%
40%
Maybe No
Yes
Rapidly shifting attitudesQ: Do you plan to purchase an e-textbook in the future?
0.14
0.43
0.42
NoMaybe
Yes
Fall 2012 Spring 2013
• High laptop access• Low tablet and smartphone access• Student based pilot averaged five books
per student • A small number of students accounted for
majority of features use
Usage (Fall 12 & Spring 13)
AFFORDABILITYe-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
e-Journals Didn’t Lower Prices, Why Can e-Textbooks?
• Used Market: publishers are motivated because they are losing money on print
• Frustration: textbook consumers are fired up• Journals are tied to promotion and tenure;
textbooks not so much• Open textbooks provide competition• We’ve learned something from the transitions
with e-journals and e-books• Bulk purchasing: publishers will lower prices if
they can increase sales volume
Reasons Why They Cost Too Much…Inelastic 1 and Mediated2 Market
Publishers StudentsProfessors
2Mediated: the book chooser is not the book buyer
1Inelastic: price does not affect demand (not yet)
SharingUsed
Go Without
Pirate Library
How Students Respond to High Prices
Bundling with Supplementals
New Editions “Custom” Textbooks
How Publishers Respond to Students Not Buying New Textbooks
•87% avg savings off new list•$23 per student per e-textbook
1. Course Based
•$42 per student per e-textbook2. Student
Based
•61% avg savings off new list•$47 per student per e-textbook3. Multi-Campus
•Inconclusive4. Site License
Publisher Want to Respond with e-Textbooks (and at lower prices)
LEARNING OUTCOMESe-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
Longitudinal increases in:• Study efficiency• Organization• Engagement• Flexibility
No reported differences in:• Reading more
Student Learning Trends
Students report:• 1/3 e-textbook • 1/3 makes no difference• 1/3 print textbook
Q: Do e-textbooks or print textbooks provide a better learning experience?
BUSINESS MODELSe-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
Partnership with the University Bookstore(?)
Content Aggregators• CourseLoad, CourseSmart, Vital Source, CafeScribe, Kno
Individual Publishers• Cengage Brain, McGraw-Hill Connect, Pearson MyLabs,
Wiley Plus
Academic collaborations • Internet2/EDUCAUSE• SUNY / New York State• Anyone in the audience?
Content Acquisition Models: Collaboration is Key
• SUNY as an Individual License Negotiator• Course Based Fee• Universal e-Textbook Fee• Pay per view• e-Textbooks as Financial Aid• Open Learning Resources
Looking Forward:Sustainable Business Models
• e-Reserves and other library models• Performance based pricing• Edition based pricing• Tiered pricing• Move away from pricing based on discount
off list print price• Big deals, bundles• Site licenses
More Experimental Business Models
LIBRARY ROLESe-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
Why the Library?
• Libraries have managed transitions from print to electronic before
• Libraries know academic publishing and licensing• Libraries already manage access to non-textbook e-books• Tomorrow’s e-textbooks will resemble today’s library
databases• This is an opportunity for library to (further) integrate in
to the curriculum• Libraries are well positioned on campus as coordinators
and facilitators
Libraries
Vendors:PublishersPlatforms
Teaching & Learning:InstructorsStudents
University Admin:Legal
AccessibilityBusiness Officers
Technology:
Learning Mgt System
IT
Bookstores:
UniversityLocalOnline
Don’t Forget About…
e-Textbooks are Coming…Are Libraries Ready?
• Students will soon arrive at college expecting e-textbooks• Graduates will be expected to be e-literate• Publishers are motivated to get out of print• e-Textbooks are currently only at 10% of the market• We are early in the evolution of e-textbooks• Increasing ubiquity of e-Readers, tablets, smartphones• Rise of online learning and MOOC’s
THANKS! QUESTIONS?e-Textbooks: Roles for Libraries
Charles Lyons ([email protected])Dean Hendrix([email protected])NASIG: June 8, 2013
