Springer Lets Library Patrons Buy Paperback Versions of E-books

For $24.95, library patrons can get their own printed books

By Lynn Andriani -- Publishers Weekly, 6/22/2009 7:54:00 AM

Springer Science+Business Media is making its e-books available as paperback individual copies to library patrons. The academic publisher has extended its MyCopy eBook service to all academic libraries in the U.S. and Canada that have purchased Springer e-book collections. Registered library patrons can order paperback copies of Springer e-books at www.springerlink.com.

The MyCopy offer applies to more than 11,000 Springer e-books published since 2005. For $24.95, which includes shipping, library patrons can get their own printed books, branded as “MyCopy” books, with color covers and b&w content. Springer is handling the ordering and shipping process in cooperation with a POD provider.

Springer launched a pilot program of MyCopy last November. Thirty libraries and other research institutions participated. “The test phase was a complete success, as the libraries and their patrons confirmed,” said Dr. Olaf Ernst, president of e-product management and innovation at Springer. “The logical decision for Springer was to offer MyCopy as an extended service for our library customers and their users. It makes the steadily growing eBook range even more attractive to the science and research market.”