Princeton to offer digital textbooks

[Ann Okerson <ann.okerson@yale.edu>]

Of possible interest:  see Princeton Packet:

University Store joins national test of digital textbook sales 

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=14983864&BRD=1091&PAG=461&dept_id=425695&rfi=6

Ten eBook titles already in stock; more to follow 

   The Princeton University Store will offer digital textbooks to
university students for the first time this fall.

   The U-Store is among 10 college bookstores nationwide participating in
the pilot Universal Digital Textbooks program, which is a partnership
among Missouri-based textbook wholesaler MBS Textbook Exchange Inc. and
five of the nation's leading publishers of college textbooks.

   U-Store Assistant Marketing Director Diane Villano said Princeton's is
the only college bookstore on the East Coast taking part. It's also the
only school in the Ivy League participating in the program.

   The U-Store already offers free wireless Internet access to students.  
Starting in the fall semester, students will also find cards for eBooks on
bookstore shelves alongside new and used textbooks.

   The cards will be activated at the cash register and will allow
students a one-time download of the textbook and free Adobe Reader
software to use it when they visit a special Web site �
www.digitaltextbooks.net � that is managed by MBS.

   The Universal Digital Textbook Card works much like an electronic gift
card or phone card. The MBS program utilizes electronic downloadable eBook
versions of printed and copyrighted material, which the wholesaler is
distributing on terms agreed upon with publishers.

   The cards are designed to be generic � that is, they are not book
specific until sold. Cards will be given store-generated barcodes
representing the different eBooks available. Students who choose the eBook
will present the card to the cashier, and when the barcode is swiped at
the register upon purchase, the eBook will be authorized for download when
the student visits the Web site.

   According to Jeff Cohen, MBS advertising and promotions manager, there
is no question digital textbooks are the way of the future. "Demand will
rise for digital books, we're all sure of that," he said. "It's probably
at its lowest now."

   Mr. Cohen said that while eBooks likely won't replace new and used
textbooks at college bookstores, they'll give students more options, which
he said is one of the prime goals of the program. "The physical textbook
is not going anywhere," he said.

   The bookstores can price the digital textbooks as they choose, Mr.  
Cohen continued, but the suggested retail price is 33 percent less than
the new-book price. He said that a textbook that sells new for $100 would
sell used for $75 and in eBook format for $66. He said it means savings
for students, and noted that with eBooks, the inventory is virtual, which
means the title is never out of stock.

   Ms. Villano said the electronic option means fewer books that students
have to lug around, and she said the paperless format is environmentally
friendly.

   Also, Ms. Villano said, the software permits students to highlight text
and mark pages and passages, just like with a hardcopy textbook. It also
allows them to print out pages of the eBook and perform keyword searches,
she said.

   "We're excited about it," she said. "It's definitely a new step as far
as technology goes. It will be interesting what the students choose,
whether they prefer the eBook and not having to carry around the hardcopy
book, or whether they want to hold onto the book."

   The U-Store has 10 eBook titles in stock, but plans to add more as the
pilot program goes forward, Ms. Villano said. She noted that members of
the co-op get a 5 percent discount on textbooks.

   The publishers taking part in the program are Houghton Mifflin,
McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Thomson Learning, John Wiley & Sons and Sage
Publications. The eBooks from MBS Textbook Exchange are expected to be
available on Aug. 22, according to the U-Store.

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