Procuring e-books for the virtual learning environment

Abstract

This paper discusses the explosion in the use of electronic resources by students and the development of e-books. The existing high usage will be intensified as virtual learning environments become the primary means of interaction between students and universities. A brief outline of university library procurement in the UK is given, followed by an analysis of a recent ground-breaking tender for e-books for higher education libraries in the UK. The continuing development of a bespoke subject collection of e-books for nursing students is explored in some detail