Ebook licences and user models
This table compares the different types of ebook licences and user models.
While the Library strives to provide unlimited access to ebooks, the availability and user restrictions are determined by the publishers.
| Licence/model type |
Licence/model conditions |
| Unlimited user model |
No limit on the number of users who can access the ebook simultaneously.
Often more expensive due to unrestricted access.
|
| Limited user models (1 user model, 3 user model, 6 user model) |
Publishers restrict the number of users who can access an ebook at one time (e.g. 1 student, 3 students or 6 students).
Additional users will need to wait until a copy of the ebook becomes available.
Users must log out of the ebook after each session so that other users can log in to access.
|
| No institutional licence available |
Publisher does not provide an institutional licence for the Library to purchase a copy/copies of an ebook.
Students will need to purchase their own ebook, if available, e.g. Uni Bookshop.
Purchasing ebooks and etexts is done directly with Library vendors who offer institutional licences and not through publishers or Amazon who do not offer institutional licences.
|
| Open Educational Resources (OER) |
Openly available teaching and learning resources with unlimited user access and no cost to users.
Published under open licences, e.g. Creative Commons to be made freely available for use and adaptation.
Also available in the public domain without any copyright restrictions, see our Library guide on Open Educational Resources.
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