Wiley Plans to Restore Access to Approximately 1,380 E-Book Titles Removed from ProQuest Academic Complete Collection

UPDATES–Media Coverage and Reactions

Update 3) Wiley Backtracks – But Only For Nine Months…(Campaign to Investigate the Ebook Market for Libraries)

Update 2) Publisher Restores Access to More Than 1,000 Free E-Books After Faculty Complaint  (via GW Hatchet, George Washington University Student Media)

Update 1) Responding to Criticism, Publisher Reinstates Blocked Ebooks (via Inside Higher Ed)

—– End Updates —

Here’s the Full Text of a Statement From Matt Leavy, EVP & GM, Academic & Professional Learning for Wiley:

In June 2020, Wiley requested our library aggregator partner ProQuest transition approximately 1,380 ebooks out of its Academic Complete online digital library as part of a regular review of collections. In working with ProQuest, this change was delayed to August 2022 for contractual reasons and to provide time for customers to make any necessary adjustments. Nevertheless, many customers were caught off guard.  

After reviewing the decision against the current environment and listening to our customers, we are returning these ebooks to the ProQuest Academic Complete collection so libraries that subscribe to the service can access them again.   

We are working to restore access to the ebooks as soon as possible. The materials will remain in the collection through June 2023 to ensure access through the remainder of the academic year.   

We sincerely apologize for any disruption this may have caused students, instructors and libraries. We are reviewing the process of updating collections to avoid similar situations in the future. 

Wiley is committed to providing students with affordable e-books through initiatives such as our inclusive access and course materials affordability programs, and we continue to explore and develop affordable content models through a variety of partners. 

Background Publishing Company Starts School Year By Removing Over 1,000 E-Textbooks (via VICE) 

Filed under: Digital Collections, Interactive Tools, Libraries, News, Publishing