E-Books Now Available from the University of Iowa Press
The University of Iowa Press is proud to announce that as of May 15, 2009, it is offering a select group of its titles as e-books, available directly from the publisher's website. In conjunction with its distribution partner, the Chicago Distribution Center, and BiblioVault, a digital content repository hosted by the University of Chicago Press, the press is acting as a beta client for CDC in its initial forays into direct to consumer e-book fulfillment.
The fulfillment service uses Adobe's Digital Editions software, which is available free of charge for personal computers, Macs, and a varied and growing list of mobile platforms. Digital Editions offers an excellent user interface, similar in look and feel to Adobe Reader, as well as bookmarking and text-searching capabilities. The fulfillment system allows the University of Iowa Press not only to sell e-books directly through its website, but to distribute complimentary review copies, desk copies, and examination copies to media and scholarly partners. This aspect of the service reduces the number of printed copies that are distributed for free, reducing the press's carbon footprint and allowing it to raise awareness as a committed member of the Green Press Initiative.
University of Chicago Press director Garrett Kiely says, "Being able to present e-books via Digital Editions is a wonderful opportunity for the Chicago Distribution Center's client presses to move directly into the growing digital market with a minimum of stress. We are pleased that a publisher as respected as the University of Iowa Press has agreed to act as a beta press for this project."
Holly Carver, director of the University of Iowa Press, adds, "Not only are we taking advantage of a brand-new avenue for our titles, but we are saving paper and postage by offering e-books in place of traditional paper review and examination copies. We hope to continually add a vibrant mix of older and newer titles to this program and look forward to working with all our partners to increase the availability and visibility of our books. There are a myriad of e-distribution options beginning to appear and we are pleased that our relationship with the Chicago Distribution Center, the premier fulfillment operation in academic publishing, has allowed us to explore this opportunity."
For more information on the University of Iowa Press e-book initiative, please contact Jim McCoy, Marketing Manager, 319-335-2008, [email protected], or visit us online at www.uiowapress.org.