Open Educational Resources (OER): Free the Textbook

Library e-books

• Helpful when academic or trade books are assigned for course readings
• Not all titles available for purchase as library e-book 
• Standard textbook publishers rarely offer library e-books
• Library e-books have advantages and disadvantages

Advantages

• Free access with a Ferris login from off campus.
• Can be read by any device with an internet browser: desktop computer, laptop, i-pad, or e-book device with an internet connection
• No staff involvement needed (unlike print course reserves accessed at library)
• May be purchased as unlimited multiple user option, allowing simultaneous access (not always)

Disadvantages

• May not allow highlighting and annotating - national survey shows students prefer ability to highlight and annotate
• (Some books do provide digital highlighting and annotating)
• Limited options for downloading or printing content
• May only be available in a one-person-at-a-time option
• May display best on desktop or laptop, not as well on phones, i-pads, and other devices.

Multiple User e-books vs. Single User e-books

• Some library e-books allow any number of readers access at once
• Some can only be purchased and accessed as single-use, one at a time.
• A second user must wait for the first to stop reading the book.
• Ask your Subject Librarian - number of users might be able to be changed with a further purchase

Tips for Using E-books as Course Reading

• Place a print copy of the book in Course Reserves at FLITE for in-library use,  helpful for students less comfortable with e-books.
• Be sure to provide proper access to the material with fail-safe links; (See procedures for FSU Proxy Prefix for E-books and Articles)
• Assign stable links for your materials.  Do not just cut and paste.  Ask your Subject Librarian for help.
• If you experience problems, contact your Subject Librarian.  Access problems may have a different solution than you expect  

FLITE e-book ownership vs. subscription services

• Some FLITE e-books are purchased and owned by the library.
• Other FLITE e-books are accessed as part of subscription service, not owned
• Typical researcher?
  • No matter.  If you can read the book, you have what you need
• Instructor using book for course readings? 
  • It could matter if books accessed through a subscription service disappear

Databases providing access to individual books and to cross-searching across numerous books for relevant information.  (Cannot currently link to EBSCOhost as an e-book collection.  Emailed Sela.)

EBSCOhost e-books?

Health and Medical e-books

Linking to FLITE Articles and e-Book Chapters - Add this link

Please link to articles and e-books rather than scanning or placing a copy on reserve, as this is often a violation of copyright guidelines.

For off-campus access, please add this link before the url of your article or book chapter:

*(https://ferris.idm.oclc.org​/login?url=)*

(insert the link without the stars or parentheses)

This link requires all students to login before they can read the e-book chapter or articles.