Session Description:
A lot of attention has recently been paid to library publishing initiatives around scholarly works and research. Less attention however has been given to work that is happening in both libraries and information technology (IT) organizations around publishing of e-textbooks and other instructional resources. These materials take a number of different formats: some are open, some involve copyrighted material, they use a number of different technical platforms with a number of different affordances. This panel illustrates some of the variety of different initiatives occurring around the country on e-textbook publishing in libraries and IT. The presentation highlights the available opportunities and the progress being made as well as the challenges. Despite these challenges the session includes an argument for an increased role of both libraries and IT organizations in publication of original instructional materials in the form of e-textbooks.