Below is Lexis’ response to the questions posed during the mid-April phone conference with members of CRIV.  CRIV would like to thank Cindy Spohr, Deana Sparling, and Silvian Rosario for taking the time to speak with CRIV and answer the questions below.  If you have questions about how these responses will impact your library, please contact your LexisNexis Representative.  If you have a concern that was not addressed here or in the February response, found here, please email Michelle Cosby, CRIV Chair at mcosby@nccu.edu.

——————————————————————————————————————

LexisNexis would like to thank Michelle Cosby and CRIV for the opportunity to continue the conversation on eBooks.  The questions discussed during the recent call and answers to them follow.

For additional information, we recommend you visit http://www.lexisnexis.com/ebooks/ , where you can access current lists of electronic titles, view an eBook demonstration, and review Frequently Asked Questions.  Additionally, you may find answers to your questions in the terms and conditions (the “Electronic Publications Master Agreement”) related to eBooks (as well as CDs, DVDs, PDFs, flash drives or other publications distributed electronically by LN) located at http://lexisnexis.com/terms/bender/masteragreement/.  We also welcome your questions and suggestions by phone at 800.833.9844 or email to ebooks@lexisnexis.com.

Q: Concerns were raised regarding the administration of eNewsletters and eBooks.

A:  LexisNexis® digital content (eBooks and PDFs) is fulfilled and supported via the LexisNexis download center. This download center can be accessed through our online store. Since its launch in November 2011, we have continuously made incremental updates to improve the download capabilities for our digital content. In summer of 2013, we are planning to significantly enhance the user experience related to the download management process for eMedia.  The planned enhancements will include a self-help portal for administrative staff that will, among other things, allow the admin to change, edit, add and delete email user addresses receiving notifications from the download center. Customers will also be able to view a history of all their eBook purchases in the download center and be able to download any previous newsletter updates they may have missed.

Q: How are customers notified of a change in format for an existing subscription?

A: Newsletters:  When a newsletter format is changed so that it is only available in an eNewsletter (PDF) format, LexisNexis’s process is that customers are notified, individually, with a letter included in the last print shipment. For example, the customer will receive a notification of the format change with the April 2013 print newsletter that the next issue, May 2013, will only be available as an e-newsletter in PDF format. The timing of the notification is dependent on the publication schedule of the newsletter. A complete list of titles in this category is posted to http://www.lexisnexis.com/eBooks.

Print + CD: When a Print + CD title is migrated to a Print + eBook format, LexisNexis’s process for notification is that customers are sent a letter, with the print title, with instructions to download the eBook. Upcoming titles are posted to http://www.lexisnexis.com/eBooks.

Q: Concerns were raised that the list of titles changing to eFormat is not being kept up-to-date.

A:  We aim to post a list of titles earmarked for migration approximately 30 days in advance, as our information allows. We do this through our eBooks site at http://www.lexisnexis.com/eBooks.

Q: Concerns were raised that Libraries will be forced to print newsletters at their own expense. 

A: With a single subscription to a newsletter, the library has the right to use the Electronic Publication on a single personal computer, e-reader, tablet, mobile device, or other display device, in the manner described in the Electronic Publications Master Agreement. In addition, one copy can be printed. While there is no requirement that the library make one print out of the newsletter, we do understand that some libraries may elect to do so. 

If a library is interested in lending and sharing capabilities for eBooks and eNewsletters, the LexisNexis® Digital Library can simplify buying, updating and lending.  Find more information on the LexisNexis Digital Library here:  http://www.lexisnexis.com/ebooks/lending/

Q: Concerns were raised that due to the change to eFormat, libraries will need to purchase e-readers.

A: A particular brand of e-reader is not required as programs that act as e-readers are available for computers. For more information, visit the eBook Resource page: http://www.lexisnexis.com/ebooks/resources/.

Q: Concerns were raised regarding highlighting in digital content.

A: The Digital Rights Management (DRM) related to a publication dictates the ability to highlight, share, print, etc. For a single user, single copy subscription, only one user has the right to use the eBook, so only one person can highlight. (However, for libraries permitting access under section 1.3 of the Electronic Publications Master Agreement, the permitted user highlights would be displayed together, much as they would if multiple patrons marked on and highlighted a printed book.) With the LexisNexis® Digital Library, users have the ability to highlight and make notes, which can be saved by the user outside the eBook. These notes and highlights are suppressed when the book is checked back in, so the next user will not see this information and is able to make their own comments and highlights. If the original user checks the eBook out again from the LexisNexis Digital Library he/she will have access to the highlights/notes originally made.

Q: Concerns were raised on electronic invoicing.

A: For some organizations, Lexis Advance® invoices will be sent electronically in summer of 2013. However, the invoice format for print, eBook, eNewsletters is not changing.  You will continue to receive these invoices in print.

Q: Can the abbreviations on invoices be more specific?  (The example provided was MA Laws)

A: Within some constraints, we can make adjustments as needed so that the abbreviation is more descriptive.  For the example raised of MA Laws, the abbreviated title on the invoice has been changed to MA Annotated Laws.

Q: What action should be taken by subscribers who choose not to accept a change in format for existing subscriptions?

A: Customers who choose to seek a refund or cancel their subscription due to a change in format should call Customer support at 800.833.9844 for options related to their purchase.

CRIV is still waiting for Lexis’ response to the questions posed during the phone call in mid-April.  In the meantime, CRIV has scheduled a demo with Lexis in May to become more familiar with how the eBooks Library works so that we can better understand the needs of the AALL Membership.  If your library would like a personalized demo, please contact your Lexis Rep.  Alternatively, Lexis will be offering demos in June.  More information to come on the June demos.

Additionally, CRIV is still soliciting feedback on this issue.  If you have any concerns or suggestions, please email them to Michelle Cosby, CRIV Chair at mcosby@nccu.edu.

Thank you,

Michelle Cosby, CRIV Chair

Earlier this week, members of CRIV spoke with Cindy Spohr, Deana Sparling, and Silvian Rosario from LexisNexis to further discuss the change in format to eBooks/eNewsletters and invoicing.  CRIV would like to thank LexisNexis for taking the time to talk about these issues.  LexisNexis will be posting an official response to the questions covered during this call, and we will post the response to the CRIV Blog as well as sending it out through our listserv liaisons. 

Additionally, LexisNexis has a few upcoming Lunch & Learn events available for AALL members local to the areas listed where you can learn more about this process.  CRIV will be posting training sessions related to the eBook process and Digital Libraries as they become available.

All Lunch & Learn sessions are 11:45am-1:15pm.  

Chicago:  Thursday, 4/25, LexisNexis, 70 W Madison, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60602.  RSVP to Bridget MacMillan at bridget.macmillan@lexisnexis.com

Atlanta:  Thursday, 5/1, Offices of Troutman Sanders, Bank of America Building. 600 Peachtree Street, Suite 5200 Atlanta, GA 30308.  RSVP to Mary Reusch at mary.reusch@lexisnexis.com

New York:  Wednesday, May 22, LexisNexis, 125 Park Avenue, 24^th Floor, New York, NY 10017.  RSVP to Gayle Lynn-Nelson at gayle.lynn-nelson@lexisnexis.com

Thank you,
Michelle Cosby, CRIV Chair