This guide provides direction and suggestions for the selection, acquisition, and licensing of electronic materials for libraries. The steps involved in the process of purchasing most of the existing electronic formats presently available are clearly delineated. Issues from policy concerns, through access and ownership, to licensing and the role of consortia are all covered. Specialized sets of considerations not previously weighed when selecting purchasing material in more traditional formats are included as well as a sample set of licensing guidelines. The authors also include an extensive bibliography and webliography, both organized by subject, and conclude with an extensive glossary of high-tech terms commonly used in the library world when referring to electronic formats.

"Overall, this is a good, quick, and short introduction for anyone who has to deal with purchasing, licensing, and providing access to electronic resources. I found the sample agreements and assistance with licensing arrangements to be the most useful sections of the book." - Public Services Quarterly, Vol. 2, No. 2/3 (2006)

"Three acquisitions experts provide nuts-and-bolts information on electronic materials for librarians in all types of facilities in the Guide to Licensing and Acquiring Electronic Information. Authors Stephen Bosch, Patricia A. Promis, and Chris Sugnet cover all the factors involved in the selection, acquisition, and licensing of electronic materials, including policy concerns as well as the role of consortia. They also provide a sample set of licensing guidelines and an extensive bibliography and webliography." - American Libraries

"This volume serves as a detailed guide for librarians on acquiring information in an electronic format. Librarians Bosch, Promis, and Sugnet present an overview of the subject, and introduce different types of electronic information: electronic journals,electronic books, DVDs & videotapes, video games, CD-ROMs, software, and locally and remotely loaded full-text content. They discuss the many considerations involved in selecting material and in the acquisitions process, and provide information on licensing and on consortial purchasing. Appendixes contain sample agreements, term definitions, and more. While the book is designed primarily for educational libraries, it can be useful to other types of libraries as well. It is not indexed..." - Reference and Research Book News

"This volume serves as a detailed guide for librarians on acquiring information in an electronic format. Librarians Bosch, Promis, and Sugnet present an overview of the subject, and introduce different types of electronic information: electronic journals, electronic books, DVDs & videotapes, video games, CD-ROMs, software, and locally and remotely loaded full-text content. They discuss the many considerations involved in selecting material and in the acquisitions process, and provide information on licensing and on consortial purchasing. Appendixes contain sample agreements, term definitions, and more. While the book is designed primarily for educational libraries, it can be useful to other types of libraries as well. It is not indexed." - Reference and Research Book News