1. eBooks:
Purchasing Challenges
in HE
BOURACH OR BONKERS?
(MESSY)
A PRACTITIONER’S PERSPECTIVE
Elizabeth McHugh, University of the Highlands and Islands, for
JIBS Event: “The joys and perils of Ebooks, we thought it would be easier!”
26/11/2013

2. Consider the following…
 Location, location, location – where to find out if a book is
available as an eBook e.g. Neilsen, Swetswise Library,
 Are you standing on the right platform? How does the user
platform perform?
 How many people can you fit on an eBook? Credits, “single”
or “multiple” users…
 To download or not download – that might be the question…
Downloading to mobile devices might be difficult
Elizabeth McHugh, University of the Highlands and Islands
26/11/2013

3. Then think about…
 How you credit it… - how many credits do you want?
 Metadata for discovery – quality is important
 Go big or go single - big deals or individual purchases?
 Letting the users decide? PDA or Evidence Based
Selection
Elizabeth McHugh, University of the Highlands and Islands
26/11/2013

4. Not forgetting…
 To rent or to buy – eBooks, as opposed to houses – if the
course only runs for a short time or credits are due to be
renewed soon
 The cost of access – platform admin. or access fees, cost of
Adobe Digital Editions
 The mechanics of access: Shibboleth, EZProxy, Open Athens…
 If companies go bust – what access will you have to your
stock? Think about costs for Portico
Elizabeth McHugh, University of the Highlands and Islands
26/11/2013

5. And finally…
 Does the ordering platform work well?
 What are their support systems and back up systems like?
 How good are their reps? A good rep can be worth their
weight in gold
 Is it all about the money?
Elizabeth McHugh, University of the Highlands and Islands
26/11/2013

6. So, what do you think?
 Will it ever get any easier?
 eBooks purchasing: bourach (messy) or bonkers?
 Thanks for listening 
 elizabeth.mchugh@uhi.ac.uk
Elizabeth McHugh, University of the Highlands and Islands
26/11/2013