eBooks: “E-Approval Plans in Research Libraries” (Preprint)

The following article is anticipated for publication in the March 2014 issue of College and Research Libraries. It was accepted for publication on November 5, 2012.

Title

E-Approval Plans in Research Libraries

Authors

Carmelita Pickett
Texas A&M University Libraries
Simona Tabacaru
Texas A&M University Libraries
Jeanne Harrell
Texas A&M University Libraries

Abstract

Research libraries have long invested in approval plan services, which offer an economical way to acquire scholarly and scientific publications. Traditional approval plans have evolved and now enable libraries to expand their e-book offerings to better serve researchers. Publishers offer a myriad of e-book purchasing options. These range from individual titles to comprehensive packages allowing libraries to choose publisher-direct (Springer, etc) or aggregator (Ebrary, etc) access, but a standard access and pricing model is needed to promote systematic acquisition of e-books. In 2010, Texas A&M University Libraries implemented an e- preferred approval plan. This article will discuss the evaluation process for research libraries migrating to an e-preferred approval plan.

Direct to Full Text Article (Preprint)
31 pages; PDF.

Filed under: Academic Libraries, Companies (Publishers/Vendors), Libraries, News, Publishing