Challenges in managing e-books collections in UK academic libraries

This paper reports on research into issues surrounding the collection management of e-books in tertiary education libraries in the UK. Focus groups were conducted with university librarians representing three disciplines—business and management; engineering; and health and medicine, and librarians in post-16 education. Semistructured interview schedules were employed, and the proceedings were recorded and transcribed. The research identified the types and levels of e-books required. The nature of bibliographical control and the selection, acquisition, modes of access, and issues surrounding the licensing of e-books were delineated. The study identified problems associated with these fields and confirmed the need for a national model licence.