Dear Canadian Colleagues,
OpenStax has identified a company in Canada, Vretta, that has agreed to distribute hard
back copies of its open textbooks. This is the result of a discussion between OpenStax and
BCcampus two years ago. Many Canadian instructors like/prefer these hardcopy versions vs.
print-on-demand (PoD) books because of their layout and for their more durable hard cover.
(Many PoD copies are soft cover.) Also, the cost of the pre-printed, full colour books are
about 50% less than the colour PoD in the BC Collection.
I am currently working to establish a plan and process for providing this opportunity to
students, faculties and bookstores at BC's post-secondary institutions (including how
this might work for OpenStax books in the BC Open Textbook
Collection<https://open.bccampus.ca/browse-our-collection/find-open-textbooks/>), as
well as Canada's other colleges, institutes and universities. No formal announcement
has been made to the BC or Canadian post-secondary sector, though OpenStax participated in
a couple of press releases in July:
* Newswire/Cison News: OpenStax and Vretta partner to distribute OER print textbooks
for Canadian
students<https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/openstax-and-vretta-partner-to-distribute-oer-print-textbooks-for-canadian-students-850734459.html>
* Markets
Insider<https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/openstax-and-vre…
You will also find a link on the OpenStax page here:
https://openstax.org/bookstore-suppliers
I will be meeting with Vretta, again, Thursday morning. If possible, please send me
answers to one or all of the below items by late Wednesday (tomorrow)/early Thursday
(before 9:30am).
* Is there interest at your institution or project in these books? Include specific
titles and number of potential buyers if available.
* Would your bookstore would be interested in ordering these books for sale to
students? (Bookstores will be offered a discount on orders.)
* Would your institution and/or bookstore be interested in providing a link to the
order form on its website?
* How many lead up time does your institution/faculty need to order textbooks for a
term?
* Other questions, comments, feedback.
If you are unable to respond in time for my meeting, feel free to send your comments
later.
Thanks and regards,
Lauri
Lauri Aesoph
Manager, Open Education
[
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Cell: 250-893-0258 • Email: laesoph@bccampus.ca<mailto:laesoph@bccampus.ca>
Twitter: @lauriaesoph<https://twitter.com/lauriaesoph> • Skype: lauri.aesoph •
LinkedIn:
lauri.aesoph<https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauri.aesoph/>
BCcampus.ca<https://bccampus.ca/> • @BCcampus<https://twitter.com/BCcampus>
• #BCcampus<https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCcampus?src=hash>
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territory of the Lkwungen-speaking people.