Springer and NAAL sign eBook deal

The Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL) and Springer have signed a ground-breaking license which grants the consortium perpetual access to Springer eBooks on SpringerLink. This statewide agreement includes a customized license for Springer’s eBook Collections in Business and Economics, Biomedical and Life Sciences, and Behavioral Sciences. From large academic libraries such as Auburn University and the University of Alabama, to smaller institutions such as Tuskeegee University and Spring Hill College, all of NAAL’s 21 general members will have access under this agreement.

Ron Leonard, the Director of NAAL, said, “Recognizing that eBooks are becoming more popular and widely used on academic campuses, NAAL sought out an eBook vendor that could provide quality front list titles at affordable prices. Additionally, it wanted to work with an eBook vendor that is in tune with librarians’ concerns regarding DRM, ILL, as well as the provision of MARC records. Springer delivered on all fronts.”

Dr. Mildred L. Jackson, Associate Dean for Research & Instruction at the University of Alabama, said, “While evaluating and discussing several eBook packages, Springer’s eBook Collections will serve undergraduates at every institution best.”

“Springer’s eBook Collections continue to be hugely successful amongst research institutions, and we have been more than pleasantly surprised to find increasing demand amongst colleges and teaching universities as well. Working with NAAL has allowed us to provide market leading content to a broad range of researchers and students throughout Alabama, and I look forward to a long and valued relationship”, said Syed Hasan, President STM Sales Academic & Government (Americas & EMEA), Springer Science+Business Media.

Springer Science+Business Media (www.springer.com) is a leading global scientific publisher, delivering quality content through innovative information products and services. The company is also a trusted provider of local-language professional publications in Europe, especially in Germany and the Netherlands. In the science, technology and medicine (STM) sector, the group publishes around 2,000 journals and more than 6,500 new books a year, as well as the largest STM eBook Collection worldwide. Springer has operations in about 20 countries in Europe, the USA, and Asia, and more than 5,000 employees. In 2010, it generated annual sales of around EUR 866 million.

The purpose of the Network of Alabama Academic Libraries (NAAL) is to coordinate academic library resource sharing to enhance education and research. NAAL is an unincorporated consortium of the Alabama Commission on Higher Education and Alabama’s eligible public and private four-year colleges and universities. In addition, other research libraries not affiliated with educational institutions may join as nonvoting cooperative members. For more information, visit: http://www.ache.state.al.us/NAAL/.