The eBook Working Group was formed in 2012 and charged with evaluating options for collaborative ebook collecting across the BLC member libraries with a focus on determining whether or not a sustainable model for consortial ebook collecting could be established.  The Group developed a 3-year pilot program with ebrary and YBP that focused on a demand-driven model of ebook purchasing.  In the second year of the pilot, short-term loans were added to the model.  The program entered its third year in June of 2014, unfortunately at a time when ebook pricing, particularly the costs for short-term loans, was undergoing major changes.  The BLC has reacted to these pricing changes by raising its collective voice and expressing concern that consortial models, particularly those that include short-term loans as a major component, are being threatened.  See the BLC letter to the editor of The Chronicle of Higher Education and the follow-up article for details.

As the eBook Working Group entered its third year, the group focused on more detailed analysis of purchasing models for consortial ebook collecting as well as looking at models for ongoing sustainability, particularly in the context of other demand-driven acquistions programs at the member libraries.  A group of 7 of the BLC libraries are currently engaged in an evidence-based consortial ebook program with JSTOR.

 Libraries interested in further details on these programs should contact the Executive Director.

Membership

Membership in the eBook Working Group is based on participation in the consortial ebook programs.

Meetings

The eBook Working Group meets as needed, typically no less often than quarterly.  A subset of the full Group meets more frequently to review data associated with the program and to prepare analyses of the data.