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Springer Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Springer eBook Collection?
What subject areas are covered within the eBook Collection?
What is the pricing model for the eBook Collection?
What are the costs associated with each Online Library?
For how long do I have access to an Online Library once it is purchased?
Will book titles be assigned to more than one package?
Are all Springer STM book titles available online?
Who should I contact with questions regarding consortia arrangements?
Does Springer offer pay-per-use service?
What if I want to purchase e-books title-by-title?
Can I purchase the Springer eBook Collection through my subscription agent or book wholesaler?
Where can I get more information about Springer eBooks?
What exactly is an eBook?
What exactly is an eReference Work?
Will my constituents need any special software?
How does one search for a Springer eBook?
Can more than one person at a time access the same eBook?
Can eBooks be used off-campus/off-site?
How long can one use an eBook?
Can pages from an eBook be printed or saved?
Are MARC records available?
Are usage statistics for eBooks available? How do I obtain usage statistics for eBooks?
What is the Springer eBook Collection?
The Springer eBook Collection offers the first online book collection especially made for the requirements of researchers and scientists. The collection includes online access to more than 3,000 newly released scientific, technical and medical (STM) books each year. The Springer eBook collection will increase the speed of distribution of newly published research in a broad range of scientific disciplines. Available through SpringerLink's IP-enabled eBook gateway, libraries can offer their patrons online access to the most valuable books - instantly - from multiple locations, including library, office, home or wherever they are working.

What subject areas are covered within the eBook Collection?
As of 2007, all Springer publications including eBooks, Online Journals and eReference Work titles available in SpringerLink, are divided into 13 subject specific Online Libraries:

Architecture, Design and Arts

Behavioral Sciences

Biomedical & Life Sciences

Business & Economics

Chemistry & Material Science

Computer Science

Earth & Environmental Science

Engineering

Humanities, Social Sciences & Law

Mathematics

Medicine

Physics and Astronomy

Professional Computing & Web Design

For a list of titles by subject area, contact your local EBSCO sales representative.

What is the pricing model for the eBook Collection?
All Springer eBook content, eBooks, eReference Works and eBook Series are offered as an annual package, i.e., libraries and institutions can either purchase the entire annual collection or may purchase any number of Online Libraries. Libraries obtain full archiving rights with continuous access to purchased content. Access is free through SpringerLink as long as the institution's account remains active with Springer, in the form of an annual eBook collection purchase or journal subscription.

What are the costs associated with each Online Library?
Single site, multi-site and consortia arrangements are available. Contact your local EBSCO or Springer representative for additional information.

For how long do I have access to an Online Library once it is purchased?
Springer eBook packages are sold as an annual collection. Electronic access to the content via SpringerLink is granted according to the terms of your current SpringerLink contract. Access is granted through SpringerLink as long as the institution's account remains active with Springer, in the form of an annual eBook collection purchase or journal subscription. Access and storage options are available for subsequent years.

Will book titles be assigned to more than one package?
No. Springer has assigned each title to a unique package.

Are all Springer STM book titles available online?
Exclusions include undergraduate textbooks, some co-publication titles or titles for which Springer does not yet have the electronic distribution rights.
Who should I contact with questions regarding consortia arrangements?
Contact your local EBSCO sales rep or Springer Licensing Representative.

Does Springer offer pay-per-use service?
No. There is no pay-per-use option at this time.

What if I want to purchase e-books title-by-title?
eBooks are not sold on a title-by-title basis directly through EBSCO nor Springer, with the exception of the eReference Work titles. For a list of eReference Work titles visit www.springer.com/ebooks. Springer eBooks can be purchased on a title-by-title basis through selected Springer distribution partners. For a complete list of partners, visit www.springer.com/ebooks.

Can I purchase the Springer eBook Collection through my subscription agent or book wholesaler?
Yes. You may purchase an eBook Collection through your preferred subscription agent or book wholesaler or subscription agent. A list of EBSCO contacts may be found at www.ebsco.com.

Where can I get more information about Springer eBooks?
You can get more information from www.springer.com/ebooks, from your EBSCO sales representative, your Springer licensing manager or preferred book wholesaler.

What exactly is an eBook?
eBooks are digital editions of your favorite print titles. You can download eBooks and read them immediately so there is no waiting for shipment. eBooks also offer the convenience of size and portability. You can store your own personal library of eBooks on your PC, laptop or hand-held device. Springer eBooks are available in Adobe^® PDF format; Springer eReference Works are available in Adobe PDF and XML formats.

What exactly is an eReference Work?
eReference Works are online versions of Springer Reference Works - large, often multi-volume, encyclopedias and handbooks. These works are authoritative sources of information about a subject compiled for ease of reference. The online versions offer unique searchability, which makes research within these large works easy and convenient. Springer eReference Works are available in Adobe PDF and XML formats.

Will my constituents need any special software?
Users with an internet browser and Adobe^® Reader^® will be able to access Springer eBooks. Users can download the reader at www.adobe.com. eReference Works are also available as XML for immediate reference to a specific definition or entry.

How does one search for a Springer eBook?
Searching for a Springer eBook is equivalent to searching for a Springer journal. First visit www.springerlink.com. From the home page you can either search for a phrase in the search bar or browse through titles. Search results will appear as journal articles, book chapters or reference work entries.

There will be an A-to-Z list and there will be the option to search for a title, ISBN or author via a search tool. A new guided navigation will make it much easier to find titles and content of interest.

Can more than one person at a time access the same eBook?
Yes. When accessing the eBook content on SpringerLink, there is no limit to concurrent user access (on site or remote) within an institution to subscribed content. When accessing the content on other eBook-aggregation service partner-sites, access is governed by the service model of that partner.

Can eBooks be used off-campus/off-site?
Yes. Through SpringerLink's IP enabled authentication, any user can access SpringerLink through the campus'/corporation's intranet. Users can also create a user name and password that is portable off-site.

How long can one use an eBook?
There is no time limit on access to purchased content.

Can pages from an eBook be printed or saved?
eBooks can be saved as PDFs on a user's computer. PDFs can also be printed for later use. Printing and saving material is subject to fair use practices such that the copyright of the work is honored.

Are MARC records available?
MARC 21 records for Springer eBooks are available. For more information, contact your EBSCO sales representative.

Are usage statistics for eBooks available? How do I obtain usage statistics for eBooks?
Usage statistics are COUNTER^®compliant and available through Springer. Statistics for eBooks are similar to those for Springer e-journals, e.g., full-text downloads by title by month. COUNTER usage statistics are also available for consortia customers.