We, the students of the University of Worcester, are writing to bring to your attention the efforts being made by us and the University Library Services Team to ensure that students have access to essential educational resources.

Digital resources have become indispensable for students as many rely on eBooks to access the information they need. However, the cost of eBook licenses has risen significantly in recent years, with the Covid-19 pandemic as a trigger, making it increasingly difficult for libraries to access them, thereby creating a barrier to education for students, especially in such a vulnerable time. The costs for eBooks have not reduced since then, and as a result many students are left without the necessary digital resources, having to resort to older editions of materials or simply go without.

As an international student body, we are particularly concerned about those from disadvantaged or less privileged backgrounds, who may be unable to afford the cost of purchasing books required for their courses, resulting in inequality in education.

We therefore ask the public to join our efforts to ensure all students have access to the essential digital resources required for their studies and success. This could involve the introduction of regulations for the publishing industry relating to eBooks, negotiating lower baseline prices for eBook licenses or even creating an open educational resources website available to all. We need collaboration between the government, the publishers, and libraries to negotiate more favorable eBook license terms: longer borrowing periods and lower prices. The industry can help libraries and universities help students more, increasing retention rates for universities and improving academic performance and success.

Here at the University of Worcester, our library team works hard to get us the educational material that students need. This academic year 2022/23 one of the most expensive eBooks was £2,496, while a print copy costs £41.59. The E-Textbook license for “The Royal Marsden Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures” has been accessed by 147 students and it has cost £9,406.53, while an individual could purchase the Kindle version for £32.80. As you can see, the difference is astronomical. We need your help to change that. Between the cost of living crisis and cost of a university degree, it is neither reasonable nor, in many cases, possible for students to obtain the necessary texts themselves. 

Thank you for taking the time to read our statement. Help us achieve change by signing our petition!

Sincerely,

Students of the University of Worcester.