| Date | Category |
|---|---|
| 6th October 2021 | Blog |
Although teaching resources have become increasingly digital in recent years, the COVID-19 pandemic has proved to be a watershed event for many institutions in the adoption of e-books and e-textbooks. The shift to off-campus learning and the temporary closure of library buildings left little choice.
However, libraries have found it increasingly difficult to make essential resources available to their students. Many of the licencing models put in place by publishers are prohibitively expensive and rose significantly in price during the pandemic. Other licencing models simply don’t permit libraries to purchase resources, or they bundle content into large unaffordable packages.
This is an unsustainable and complex situation and not one that SUPC alone can address. It’s imperative that we work alongside other university and library organisations to take an aligned approach that maximises the impact of the sector’s combined voice and spending power. We collaborate with organisations such as Jisc, Society of College, National and University Libraries (SCONUL), Research Libraries UK (RLUK), National Acquisitions Group (NAG) and others to strategically align our library framework agreements in ways that help the sector work towards a fairer and more transparent marketplace.
This is why SUPC, along with other relevant HE organisations, has co-signed a joint statement pledging to help students and teachers in UK higher and further education to gain equitable and sustainable access to e-books, e-textbooks and related teaching content. Working collectively on behalf of our members and the wider sector, SUPC is lobbying for change that will have a direct impact on university students and budgets.
You may also find it helpful to speak to your own library teams and you are always welcome to contact SUPC’s Category Manager for Academic Services, Gavin Phillips.