I've signed the contract, so it's official now! Next month I'll be starting a whole new professional life as the Community Engagement Lead at the @openbookcollective.bsky.social - which if you know anything about me and my work with #ebookSOS, is right up my alley! 📚
September 22, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I've signed the contract, so it's official now! Next month I'll be starting a whole new professional life as the Community Engagement Lead at the @openbookcollective.bsky.social - which if you know anything about me and my work with #ebookSOS, is right up my alley! 📚
Libraries just want to own books. That’s it. It’s not hard to understand. Publishers needlessly complicate the picture with talk of models and licences and access, but it’s as simple as that. Libraries want to own books that we can lend to our users. 📚 #ebooksos
February 18, 2025 at 11:14 AM
Libraries just want to own books. That’s it. It’s not hard to understand. Publishers needlessly complicate the picture with talk of models and licences and access, but it’s as simple as that. Libraries want to own books that we can lend to our users. 📚 #ebooksos
SUCCESS: Study looked at the impact of textbook costs & OER on student completion & persistence... students who participated in courses marked as no-cost/low-cost complete their credential at a higher rate than those who do not participate in such courses. www.iastatedigitalpress.com/joerhe/artic...
No-Cost/Low-Cost and OER Impact on Time-to-Credential: An Event History Modeling Study
The study explores the efficacy of no-cost/low-cost (NCLC) programs on student credential completion and persistence. The study looked at student-level data between the fall 2014 and 2021 academic yea...
www.iastatedigitalpress.com
January 21, 2025 at 9:40 PM
EXPLANATION: for newbies to issues around publishing, ebooks and why open access is so essential. It is 16 minutes long and covers most of the basics. www.youtube.com/watch?v=PygU...
Why is knowledge getting so expensive? | Jeffrey Edmunds | TEDxPSU
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
www.youtube.com
December 18, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Thrilled to have been awarded one of JISC’s Community Champions awards for 2025, in the ‘community advocate’ category, for my #ebookSOS work! It’s a real honour and I’m very touched and humbled.
www.jisc.ac.uk/get-involved...
www.jisc.ac.uk/get-involved...
Community champions - Jisc
Celebrating extraordinary people supporting communities.
www.jisc.ac.uk
February 7, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Thrilled to have been awarded one of JISC’s Community Champions awards for 2025, in the ‘community advocate’ category, for my #ebookSOS work! It’s a real honour and I’m very touched and humbled.
www.jisc.ac.uk/get-involved...
www.jisc.ac.uk/get-involved...
We are excited to announce that Caroline Ball @heroicendeavour.bsky.social has joined as our new Community Engagement Lead. Hooray! 🥳 Caroline is a committed advocate for libraries, #OpenAccess & knowledge equity, a Trustee at @wikimediauk.bsky.social, & played a key role in the #EbookSOS campaign.
October 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
We are excited to announce that Caroline Ball @heroicendeavour.bsky.social has joined as our new Community Engagement Lead. Hooray! 🥳 Caroline is a committed advocate for libraries, #OpenAccess & knowledge equity, a Trustee at @wikimediauk.bsky.social, & played a key role in the #EbookSOS campaign.
Today in #ebooksos -- we fielded a request for a digital copy of a book published in 1971. The ebook version, which *only one person at a time can read,* is $1,200 USD. That's pushing $1,800 CAD. Wild. 📚
January 10, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Today in #ebooksos -- we fielded a request for a digital copy of a book published in 1971. The ebook version, which *only one person at a time can read,* is $1,200 USD. That's pushing $1,800 CAD. Wild. 📚
21 OCT-11H CEST | #LETLIBRARIESBELIBRARIES: 1ST EUROPEAN #EBOOKS & #ELENDING COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE MEETING
Topic: e-Lending systems in Europe
🔗 Register: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
🔗 About: kr21.info/ebooks-cop
🔗 Mailing list: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
#eBookSOS #libraries
Topic: e-Lending systems in Europe
🔗 Register: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
🔗 About: kr21.info/ebooks-cop
🔗 Mailing list: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
#eBookSOS #libraries
September 21, 2026 at 12:30 PM
21 OCT-11H CEST | #LETLIBRARIESBELIBRARIES: 1ST EUROPEAN #EBOOKS & #ELENDING COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE MEETING
Topic: e-Lending systems in Europe
🔗 Register: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
🔗 About: kr21.info/ebooks-cop
🔗 Mailing list: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
#eBookSOS #libraries
Topic: e-Lending systems in Europe
🔗 Register: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
🔗 About: kr21.info/ebooks-cop
🔗 Mailing list: kr21.info/ebooks-cop-m...
#eBookSOS #libraries
February 18, 2025 at 11:47 PM
The man knows whereof he speaks… #ebookSOS
A bit of light Friday reading
5 inconvenient facts that all librarians (or folks with an interest in Library related skullduggery) should know about e-books
5 inconvenient facts that all librarians (or folks with an interest in Library related skullduggery) should know about e-books
5 Inconvenient Facts All Librarians Should Know About E-Books
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the promise of the digital library became clearer than ever. As physical doors closed, e-books offered a vital lifeline, foregrounding the incredible potential of on-demand access to information and culture. Yet this moment of digital promise also cast a harsh light on the dysfunctional infrastructure, predatory business models, and outdated legal frameworks that govern the lending of digital content.
librarianth.home.blog
November 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
The man knows whereof he speaks… #ebookSOS
#CopyrightWeek: The evidence is in—empowering #libraries creates wins across the board! Australia's Untapped project shows that #eLending enables access, generates author income & revives 'lost' books. Let's unlock this potential in Europe!
🔗 www.knowledgerights21.org/news-story/t...
#eBookSOS
🔗 www.knowledgerights21.org/news-story/t...
#eBookSOS
January 30, 2025 at 1:02 PM
#CopyrightWeek: The evidence is in—empowering #libraries creates wins across the board! Australia's Untapped project shows that #eLending enables access, generates author income & revives 'lost' books. Let's unlock this potential in Europe!
🔗 www.knowledgerights21.org/news-story/t...
#eBookSOS
🔗 www.knowledgerights21.org/news-story/t...
#eBookSOS
A download limit of 15 pages in a *handbook* that is several hundred pages in length and would cost me $300 to buy? Why is my library even paying for unlimited access if you can't download a single chapter from the book to read outside of Ebsco?
January 13, 2025 at 7:04 PM
#ebookSOS webinar for BIALL members – book now!
This free webinar, delivered by Caroline Ball (University of Derby) and Cathal McCauley (Maynooth University) will take place on 27th May, 12:30-13:30.
More details are on our website: biall.org.uk/ebooksos-web...
This free webinar, delivered by Caroline Ball (University of Derby) and Cathal McCauley (Maynooth University) will take place on 27th May, 12:30-13:30.
More details are on our website: biall.org.uk/ebooksos-web...
#ebookSOS webinar for BIALL members – book now | The British and Irish Association of Law Librarians
biall.org.uk
May 16, 2025 at 9:37 AM
#ebookSOS webinar for BIALL members – book now!
This free webinar, delivered by Caroline Ball (University of Derby) and Cathal McCauley (Maynooth University) will take place on 27th May, 12:30-13:30.
More details are on our website: biall.org.uk/ebooksos-web...
This free webinar, delivered by Caroline Ball (University of Derby) and Cathal McCauley (Maynooth University) will take place on 27th May, 12:30-13:30.
More details are on our website: biall.org.uk/ebooksos-web...
Thanks for having us along to talk about how #ebookSOS impacts law libraries! For follow up, feel free to get in touch here, or with @heroicendeavour.bsky.social or @cathalmccauley.bsky.social directly.
Link for slides in post below.
Link for slides in post below.
#ebookSOS webinar for BIALL members – book now!
This free webinar, delivered by Caroline Ball (University of Derby) and Cathal McCauley (Maynooth University) will take place on 27th May, 12:30-13:30.
More details are on our website: biall.org.uk/ebooksos-web...
This free webinar, delivered by Caroline Ball (University of Derby) and Cathal McCauley (Maynooth University) will take place on 27th May, 12:30-13:30.
More details are on our website: biall.org.uk/ebooksos-web...
#ebookSOS webinar for BIALL members – book now | The British and Irish Association of Law Librarians
biall.org.uk
May 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Thanks for having us along to talk about how #ebookSOS impacts law libraries! For follow up, feel free to get in touch here, or with @heroicendeavour.bsky.social or @cathalmccauley.bsky.social directly.
Link for slides in post below.
Link for slides in post below.
"Clarivate has launched a subscription-based content access strategy, while also phasing out one-time perpetual purchases of digital collections, print and digital books for libraries."
My thoughts are...not appropriate for public airing, but if you know me and/or #ebookSOS, you can imagine. 📚
My thoughts are...not appropriate for public airing, but if you know me and/or #ebookSOS, you can imagine. 📚
Clarivate launches subscription-based access strategy - Research Information
Company will also phase out one-time perpetual purchases of digital academic collections, print and digital books for libraries
www.researchinformation.info
February 18, 2025 at 10:37 AM
"Clarivate has launched a subscription-based content access strategy, while also phasing out one-time perpetual purchases of digital collections, print and digital books for libraries."
My thoughts are...not appropriate for public airing, but if you know me and/or #ebookSOS, you can imagine. 📚
My thoughts are...not appropriate for public airing, but if you know me and/or #ebookSOS, you can imagine. 📚
I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk about my somewhat haphazard route into #OpenScience, via librarianship, @wikipedia.org and #ebookSOS. My thoughts, in no particular order:
We're at London Open Science and Scholarship Festival later today!
Join @heroicendeavour.eurosky.social online as part of a panel disscussion about careers in #OpenScience
⏰️ 1-2pm [UK time]
🔗 buff.ly/9DrdDLr
#LDNOpenFest26
1/2
Join @heroicendeavour.eurosky.social online as part of a panel disscussion about careers in #OpenScience
⏰️ 1-2pm [UK time]
🔗 buff.ly/9DrdDLr
#LDNOpenFest26
1/2
London Open Science & Scholarship Festival 2026 – open for booking! | UCL Open@UCL Blog
UCL Homepage
buff.ly
April 23, 2026 at 4:16 PM
I really enjoyed the opportunity to talk about my somewhat haphazard route into #OpenScience, via librarianship, @wikipedia.org and #ebookSOS. My thoughts, in no particular order:
👀If you’ve got funds for “Convivial Royal Splendor and a banquet” maybe you could lower you’re APC fees a bit?
Invite from a #publisher this morning
#openaccess #publishing #library #ebooksos 📚 #librarian #OpenResearch #academicsky
Invite from a #publisher this morning
#openaccess #publishing #library #ebooksos 📚 #librarian #OpenResearch #academicsky
January 16, 2025 at 10:23 AM
👀If you’ve got funds for “Convivial Royal Splendor and a banquet” maybe you could lower you’re APC fees a bit?
Invite from a #publisher this morning
#openaccess #publishing #library #ebooksos 📚 #librarian #OpenResearch #academicsky
Invite from a #publisher this morning
#openaccess #publishing #library #ebooksos 📚 #librarian #OpenResearch #academicsky
Very sad to hear Dr Paul Ayris has passed away. He was a great champion of libraries and open access, hugely influential, and very supportive of us at #ebookSOS. A great loss to the library and research communities.
www.leru.org/news/in-memo...
www.leru.org/news/in-memo...
Dr Paul Ayris | LERU
Dr Paul Ayris LERU UCL Open Science
www.leru.org
December 18, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Very sad to hear Dr Paul Ayris has passed away. He was a great champion of libraries and open access, hugely influential, and very supportive of us at #ebookSOS. A great loss to the library and research communities.
www.leru.org/news/in-memo...
www.leru.org/news/in-memo...
Feel free to get in touch either with me directly or the #ebookSOS campaign at ebooksoscampaign@gmail.com
Are there any law firm librarians out there who could give us information about their experiences with ebook access in a legal practice setting? Off the record, anonymous etc - we’re just looking to get a better insight into how these issues affect practitioners, as opposed to students/academics etc
April 7, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Feel free to get in touch either with me directly or the #ebookSOS campaign at ebooksoscampaign@gmail.com
There’s so much work to do in academic spaces to change thinking around open access. A lot of academics still seem wedded to the old commercial publisher model (not for money but for the prestige/status of ‘publishing with XYZ’, whereas the truth is we can do it all ourselves, and better! #ebookSOS
It is, however, striking to me how academic libraries still feel unable to support the decommodification of OA books through collective and community-led Diamond OA book publishing as a reality. The @openbookcollective.bsky.social and @openingthefuture.bsky.social are here to help!
January 20, 2025 at 11:28 AM
There’s so much work to do in academic spaces to change thinking around open access. A lot of academics still seem wedded to the old commercial publisher model (not for money but for the prestige/status of ‘publishing with XYZ’, whereas the truth is we can do it all ourselves, and better! #ebookSOS
The lack of digital ownership and corporate greed is gutting libraries. #ebooksos
Greenfield Public Library has had to cancel Hoopla access after being quoted a **452%** increase now that the Milwaukee County Library system isn't handling the subscription.
www.facebook.com/share/p/1B2p...
www.facebook.com/share/p/1B2p...
January 3, 2025 at 10:46 AM
The lack of digital ownership and corporate greed is gutting libraries. #ebooksos
Slides and document on #ebookSOS challenges for law libraries available here - drive.google.com/drive/folder...
BIALL #ebookSOS 27.05.25 - Google Drive
drive.google.com
May 27, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Slides and document on #ebookSOS challenges for law libraries available here - drive.google.com/drive/folder...
Bear this in mind when peer review or editor requests come across your desk, or when considering where to publish, or if you're minded to complain when the library announces journal or database cancellations... #ebookSOS
Academic publishing revenues for last year were £3.5 billion.
Yes, academic publishing generates more revenue than trade publishing, by an entire billion last year.
Three-quarters of those revenues come from exports.
Yes, academic publishing generates more revenue than trade publishing, by an entire billion last year.
Three-quarters of those revenues come from exports.
June 18, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Bear this in mind when peer review or editor requests come across your desk, or when considering where to publish, or if you're minded to complain when the library announces journal or database cancellations... #ebookSOS