Hi all, 

I just got a virtual tour of this product. As Christina described, it federates search for open textbooks with DRM-free ebooks (either available for purchase or already in library holdings).  

I want to raise a concern and see what others think. This product assumes that faculty will begin the process of discovering and adopting a textbook through a library database. Yet often campus stores have already invested in software with the same functionality, that also includes inventory management and so on. I am concerned that there is a risk of two separate units making duplicative purchases that could lead to confusion for faculty. 

Any thoughts?

Thanks, 
Amy

On Fri, Jul 12, 2019 at 4:04 PM Trunnell, Christina <christina.trunnell@montana.edu> wrote:
Jessica,
I actually like this product. It is just another way to collocate resources. It pulls from OE sites into the database or discovery service layer. So, if faculty are searching, in your library resources platform, they will find your physical and/or digital collections as well as OE materials from sites such as Merlot or Public Library of Science.


If you are meeting with them, I would ask about it’s connection with other products. If your institution uses their EDS, they’ve built a component in that is free and does the same thing. If you don’t, you’ll want to get clear verification that it works with your discovery or ILS systems or both. It’s a new product, and EBSCO is known to launch products with lots of connectivity “in the works” promises. For my experience, they always deliver, but it sometimes takes at least a year or more.

Again, I like the product. Compatibility would be my major concern.

Christina Trunnell
TRAILS OER Statewide Coordinator
Montana State University Library
PO BOX 173320
Bozeman, MT 59717-3320
Schedule a conversation today.




From: cccoer-advisory@googlegroups.com <cccoer-advisory@googlegroups.com> on behalf of Jessica Norman <jessica.norman@sait.ca>
Sent: Friday, July 12, 2019 1:51:46 PM
To: canadaoer@mail.bccampus.ca; cccoer-advisory@googlegroups.com
Subject: Any thoughts on EBSCO's Faculty Select database for OER materials?
 

Hi All,

Our Collections Librarian has booked a presentation from the EBSCO rep to show us EBSCO Faculty Select (https://www.ebsco.com/products/ebsco-faculty-select).  The description states “EBSCO Faculty Select empowers academic libraries to directly support textbook affordability efforts. Through a single interface, faculty can search and access quality open textbooks, Open Educational Resources (OER), and request access to unrestricted library e-books from top academic publishers.”   The site will “enable discoverability of open educational resources and DRM-free eBooks”.

 

There isn’t much detail on their website beyond general platitudes.  I’m very curious what OER materials the database incorporates and how it does it (Links to external sites?  Full text files that they’ve pulled from the open repositories?)  I’ll also be listening closely to figure out what value EBSCO thinks they are adding compared to sites like MERLOT or OASIS.    

 

Anyone have any insights about this product or questions I should ask when I see the rep next week?

 

 

Cheers,

Jessica

 

 

cid:image004.png@01D18F19.9217E950

 

 

 

Jessica Norman, MLS

eLearning Librarian, Reg Erhardt Library

Liaison to: Construction, Manufacturing & Automation

Specialist in: Distance Education, Open Educational Resources

 

 

Book an appointment

 

Southern Alberta Institute of Technology

Stan Grad Centre, MC113

1301 – 16 Avenue NW, Calgary AB, T2M 0L4

 

(Office) 403.210.4073

jessica.norman@sait.ca

 

Preferred pronoun: She/Hers/Her

 

 

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510-213-0702
Linn-Benton Community College
6500 SW Pacific Blvd.
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