University of Michigan Press extends free-to-read ebook access and requests library support

By: Lanell White | Date: April 7, 2020
University of Michigan Press extends free-to-read ebook access and requests library support

University of Michigan Press (UMP) will extend temporary free-to-read access to the UMP Ebook Collection (UMP EBC) until the end of June 2020, strengthening its support of students, librarians, and professors who need ebook access throughout the entire spring semester. Any user globally can simply access, read, and enjoy. No registration or IP-validation is required.

With support from its faculty Executive Committee and University leadership, the Press recognizes these are extraordinary times and is happy to support unrestricted access to the leading scholarship of its authors. Since March 20, 2020, when access restrictions were turned off, page views of UMP EBC titles have increased over 600% and UMP has received positive feedback from over 150 libraries.

The UMP EBC “free-to-read” initiative allows on-screen reading, not download. Only purchasing libraries can take advantage of downloadable titles and other unique benefits. UMP EBC offers current year and backlist years at tiered prices and with library-friendly licensing that includes unlimited multiuser terms, DRM-free downloads, and a perpetual access commitment. UMP EBC also supports innovative features such as whole ebook ILL, automatic term access to all collections to purchasers, and a growing range of multimedia enriched titles. The UMP EBC follows accessibility standards, with a Public VPAT 2.1 online.

University of Michigan Press is a small publisher of specialist monographs and coursebooks and sales to libraries are a major source of income. We are therefore asking libraries at institutions whose students and faculty have benefited from the free-to-read program to consider purchasing a UMP EBC collection to extend access after the end of June.

To learn more about UMP EBC please visit press.umich.edu/librarians or contact Library Engagement Manager, Emma DiPasquale . To view transparent licensing and pricing terms visit the LYRASIS product page .