From evangelist to essential: A librarian’s eBook journey

Author: Sacha Billett

In the early 2000s, for most librarians, eBooks were a hassle. There were, and still are for most, issues like digital rights management (DRM) that limited what patrons could do with the books. There were hard access limits, limiting the number of people who could have a copy of the book at the same time. And all this, for a bunch of PDFs? But: What if things were different? What were librarians’ real, practical concerns? How could a publisher like Springer address them? Asking these questions began an open, frank, and ongoing dialogue with librarians, who described what they needed from a publisher for eBooks to deliver real value at scale.

Taking this feedback onboard, in 2005, Springer launched a new eBook approach built around these core needs: No DRM; access for multiple users and no limits on concurrent users; flexible use permissions and no limits on what readers could do with the eBook files. This new approach meant that eBooks’ power, to be shared and read and used with limits, was finally available, and it reflected how libraries already work with their academic communities. The result is that researchers and students can widely share Springer Nature eBooks and can easily use them in courses and in collaborations. This supports ongoing collaborations, discovery and learning across disciplines.  

Wendy Allen Shelburne, librarian at the University of Illinois, saw this model’s potential early on, and was among the first to sign up for this new way of doing eBooks. Her experience shows how librarians took an active role in shaping eBook evolution. On the occasion of looking back on the past 20 years of Springer Nature eBooks, I sat down with her to talk about her experience as an early eBook adopter. Keeping with the “book theme,” we looked at this like chapters: The rise of eBooks, the pandemic’s role as a catalyst, integrating eBooks into library services, shifting attitudes, and finally, a glimpse of the future.

Chapter 1:
The rise of eBooks in academic libraries

In 2006, it wasn’t obvious to everyone that eBooks were worth it, that they weren’t more work than they were worth, compared with traditional print books. “But nobody needs convincing anymore that eBooks are great, I get asked for them all the time now”, Shelburne points out.  

This shift in perception came gradually, as both librarians and users recognised the benefits and flexibility of digital resources. Especially when those eBooks don’t come with use restrictions or DRM. When buying one eBook license means everyone with library rights can get any book, at any time, and keep it forever. And, this includes textbooks. That means that if an assigned text is a Springer Nature eBook, students don’t have to pay out of pocket for it, and can keep the eBook file forever.  

Despite the internal adjustments required to make eBook acquisition work, Shelburne recalls the benefits of smoother access for students. “The joy of no longer getting printed lecture notes in computer science was...amazing and wonderful. It just became smooth sailing after a point in time”.   

Chapter 2:
The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated eBook adoption  

When the COVID-19 pandemic started, and libraries closed during lockdowns, librarians were faced with an unprecedented challenge. This moment marked a turning point in how libraries operated, as Shelburne shares her experiences at that time. “The pandemic, in my opinion, was the watershed moment in all of this. The only way you could operate was with eBooks, and that really just changed it completely. Were it not for eBooks, I don’t know what anybody would have done.” 

Shelburne remembers her institution going through a tough time when they had to migrate their integrated library system during the pandemic. “We had to close our fiscal year in May, which is early, and then we had no system until late June. So, that meant in the pandemic we couldn’t put anything in the catalogue.” 

Despite technical challenges, eBooks remained a reliable source for education and research, transforming even the most resistant disciplines: “It really changed. The last disciplines that weren’t eBook heavy…was really the humanities.” Now, she remarks, “linguistics people are always asking for e-books. The history people are always asking for e-books.” 

Chapter 3:
Enhancing library services through eBook integration 

In addition to cataloguing metadata like MARC records, eBook files are, themselves, completely searchable. This means an entirely new findability experience for users. Where researchers once had to navigate complex catalogue systems with specific subject headings, today’s digital resources offer faster, intuitive discovery. “Keyword searching is so much easier than subject headings,” Shelburne comments. "Nobody would have that problem now.”   

This transformation also reshaped how researchers use their library. While students still fill in the building, their behaviour reflects the digital approach to education. “There’s still a lot of bodies in the library, but I don’t think they’re doing the same stuff that they did 20 years ago,” Shelburne remarks. “You’d probably have to go to the rare book room or archives map library to see significant engagement with print. Probably what you’re going to see is a student sitting with a lot of snacks and a laptop.” 

Even the traditional library spaces have been adapted. “We have lots of group study spaces now, which we wouldn’t have had before. Very different. You never see anybody walking around with a backpack full of books anymore.” 

Chapter 4:
The changing attitudes toward eBooks over time 

Not everyone embraced digital resources right away. One of the most telling anecdotes Shelburne shared involves a self-described “curmudgeon”, a retired professor, once known for his resistance to anything electronic. Shelburne remembers him refusing to open email attachments, insisting that everything be pasted directly into the body of an email. But retirement brought new needs, and a surprising change of heart.  

He reached out to her for help accessing electronic resources remotely. “We had a long conversation where I went through easy proxy, VPN and all these things. Making sure he knew how to do everything. And the day I saw him in the curmudgeon T-shirt, he was like, ‘Thank you so much. That was so amazingly helpful. I am having such a great time using all the electronic things’ And I'm like, yeah, I remember when you wouldn't open an email attachment.” This story is far from unique. “I think his story could probably be applied to lots of people. I fought it. I was curmudgeonly about it. I refused to do it. Look at me now."

This transformation reflects a broader pattern, highlight how necessity often becomes a catalyst for change: “The pandemic definitely knocked out a long tail of ‘I need to print it, I need to do this. 'And then it’s like, ‘Oh, I guess I don’t.’” 

Chapter 5:
The future of eBooks and libraries in a digital age

Looking ahead, Shelburne reflects on digital resources’ evolving roles in academic libraries. While eBooks have become essential, she wonders if traditional publishing formats will stay the same. “I’m surprised that publishing container still hasn’t moved much,” Shelburne observes. She imagines a future where the boundaries between books, chapters, and articles may blur, and where the concept of a “journal” or even a “book” could be redefined. “What does the journal look like in 20 years? Are there even still books in 20 years?” Another rapidly transforming area? Artificial intelligence (AI). While she sees potential in AI for tasks like text mining and systematic reviews, she remains cautiously sceptical.  

Despite the uncertainties, eBooks have proven their value, and their story is far from over. Librarians like Wendy Shelburne, with their adaptability, curiosity, and a touch of humour, help shape the future of knowledge access.

As we look ahead to the next 20 years, Springer Nature’s mission to support learning and discovery remains unchanged. You’ll find an illustrated history of the last 20 years of Springer Nature eBooks at our “virtual museum”, When the Shelf Went Digital... 20 Years of Springer Nature eBook Collections, where you can explore key milestones, insights from authors, librarians and experts, as well as the events shaping the future of knowledge and global impact. Take a stroll through the stories that defined the eBook journey and see what’s next.  

Related content

• Twenty years of eBooks: How libraries turned a quiet shift into a global revolution in digital access
• How eTextbooks empower modern learning: Insights for librarians
• Eight proven steps to improve eBook collection development in libraries
• Exploring the future of AI: Insights from Springer Nature's AI eBook Collection

Don't miss the latest news & blogs, subscribe to The Link Alerts!