Springer is launching a new eBook initiative through SpringerLink that will allow students and researchers electronic access to more than 10,000 books. The site will integrates Springer eBooks with the articles from Springer journals. Springer will allow unlimited simultaneous access to eBooks. The eBooks' PDF and HTML documents are fully searchable and can be downloaded and printed. In addition, once a library purchases Springer's eBook collection, they own the book content for their use in perpetuity.

Libraries can purchase a complete collection of all Springer titles from a copyright year or they can choose to purchase one or more of 12 distinct topic categories (e.g., engineering, medicine, computer science, mathematics, etc.). Approximately 3,000 new eBooks will be published and available every year.

The new SpringerLink is still in beta, I could not find any specific on pricing for institutions other than this phrase, "Flexible licensing options include institutional and individual access. Reduced maintenance expense, sophisticated management tools and simple, user-friendly interface make the Springer eBook Collection a cost-effective, patron-pleasing choice for academic and corporate libraries."

For those interested you can Take the eBook Demonstration at Springer's site.


I received an email from a colleague about Rittenhouse's electronic book initiative called R2 includes books in medicine, nursing & allied health from different publishers such as Lippincott, McGraw-Hill, Oxford, etc. The books are indexed using MESH terms. Like Springer once a title is purchased the library own's the content for the life of the edition. So, Degowin's Diagnostic Examination, 8th ed, is $129/user for the life of the book. You only pay once, not each year as in Ovid or Statref. When the 9th edition comes out, you have archival access to the 8th edition (1 user only) at no charge.

According to the email I received they have a $1200 annual maintenance fee which is waived the first year if you answer a questionnaire. They work with individual institutions mostly, but are willing to talk to consortia as well.

Unfortunately there is no information on Rittenhouse's website regarding R2 and if you got to the R2 website there is no FAQ or product information. I know they were at MLA this year but unfortunately I never got any information from them (I meant to but never go around to it). You would think they would want to put some information about their product on their websites, because it might be kind of helpful.