c/o Katina Strauch Post Office Box 799 Sullivan’s Island, SC 29482
ALA Annual issue
TM
volume 31, number 3 june 2019
“Linking Publishers, Vendors and Librarians”
ISSN: 1043-2094
Textbooks — An Ever Changing Landscape and the Move Towards Digital by Dominic Broadhurst (Academic Engagement Manager, University of Manchester) <dominic.broadhurst@manchester.ac.uk>
T
he last few years have seen unprecedented changes in the textbook sector. These have been driven by a number of developments combining a mixture of supply side issues and initiatives aligned to demand side factors i.e., students, libraries and other consumers. This special issue of Against the Grain aims to examine some of the major issues and also provide incisive commentary from a range of contributors. The textbook sector has been a major professional interest of mine for a number of years, with a particular focus on practical and value added solutions for students and academic colleagues. From 2015-2018, I led the textbook work packages of a major project at the University of Manchester called Books Right Here Right Now. This work involved making complex changes to the paradigm for textbooks for academic libraries, including in particular the acquisition and supply of textbooks to our students on a 1:1 basis. It also encompassed considerable market research and analysis which enabled us to leverage influence and additional finance from our University to expand the programme into a full service, as
described by Olivia Walsby and Flora Bourne in their article for this issue. Over many years I have had extensive dialogue with publishers and fellow librarians interested in this area, both in the UK and overseas, in addition to a range of other stakeholders in the textbook sector. I have been asked to speak at a range of conferences and continue to comment regularly via various social media channels. This has helped me to develop an understanding of challenges and opportunities faced by all actors in the sector. Taking a holistic perspective on the textbook sector, and in particular the growth towards digital, I have identified three main themes, which I think will be of interest to ATG readers and indeed lead to a logical progression into the articles in this special issue. First, I will give some perspectives on major issues affecting the sector, which has experienced significant change in recent years. Secondly, I will show how some of these issues translate into potential challenges and opportunities for publishers and other industry stakeholders. Thirdly, I consider the key drivers for increased library activity in the textbook sector,
If Rumors Were Horses
A This handsome little fella is Teddy Jacks, the sixth grandchild of Katina and Bruce Strauch.
re you paying attention to the ATG NewsChannel, lovingly curated by the awesome Tom Gilson? Quirkies are popular on the NewsChannel and are selected by another awesome type, John Riley. Many people have told me that they really like Quirkies. The ATG Quirkie (May 20, 2019) was about a girl named Lisa who was having a tough day until a gift from a stranger tucked into book set off a chain of random acts of kindness. So … instead of feeling sorry for herself, Lisa wanted to lighten the load for someone else. And all it took was a book, $5, and an inspiring note — and then it went viral. What a great story! https://www.againstthe-grain.com/2019/05/atg-quirkies-breaking-news-gift-tucked-intoa-book-sparks-rampant-acts-of-kindness/ https://www.cnn.com/profiles/amy-chillag continued on page 6
a major growth area in recent years and of course influenced by the wider sectoral issues.
State of the Sector
If I were to use one word to sum up the current state of the textbook sector, volatile is the word that springs to mind. There are a number of factors contributing to this volatility.
Move from Traditional Print and Growth of Digital
In recent years there has been a shift away from provision and consumption of print textbooks to digital offerings, with publishers and new intermediaries in the sector both driving continued on page 8
What To Look For In This Issue: Finding Your Beat: Rapidity and Change Management......................... 51 ATG Food + Beverage Roundup....... 66 I Love Fiesole in the Springtime....... 86 Interviews Peggy Glahn....................................... 37 Bob Vrooman..................................... 40 Todd Carpenter................................... 41 Deanna Marcum................................ 41 Philip Croom...................................... 42 Katherine Daniel................................ 44 Profiles Encouraged People, Library and Company Profiles................................................ 77 Plus more............................... See inside
1043-2094(201906)31:3;1-C