As the campus winds down for holiday break, the Content Development and Analysis (CDA) Department at York University Libraries is continuing to work hard to ensure that faculty and students have access to eContent needed for the winter term. Requests for purchases of eBooks or other materials can be sent directly to the CDA team at yul_cda@yorku.ca, or to the relevant library contact. Requests for streaming video can be sent to imagelib@yorku.ca.
Here are a few important reminders about requesting eBooks and streaming videos:
- eBooks often have limits on the number of users who can access them at one time. The number of users is set out in the eBook license and is determined by the publisher. While the Libraries strive to purchase an unlimited user license for all eBooks, we are often only able to purchase a license for one or three users. Note that this refers to simultaneous users, so purchasing a one- or three-user license is often sufficient in meeting demand.
- eTextbooks: Acquiring electronic versions of eTextooks can be difficult for the Libraries as many commercial textbook publishers only sell to individuals and do not make purchasing options available to libraries.
- Trade and popular eBooks are not always readily available on platforms that are used in the academic environment. This means that even though an eBook might be available for download by individuals on personal devices such as a Kindle or Kobo, it is not necessarily available for purchase by the Libraries.
- Streaming video: The Libraries are responding to increased demand for streaming video by adding new platforms and by attempting to secure streaming licenses for films that are requested by faculty for use in online courses. Please note that due to the high costs of licenses for streaming content, we are prioritizing films that are required viewing for a course or form an integral part of classroom or tutorial discussions.
Please reach out to the CDA team at yul_cda@yorku.ca with any questions about ordering library materials. A reminder that all inquiries about posting eContent to your eClass site should be directed to the copyright office at copy@yorku.ca.