[Press Release]
The Dutch Publishers Association Creates E-Textbook Offering with VitalSource Bookshelf® Platform
Initiative will create the first large-scale multi-publisher e-textbook platform in mainland Europe
Vital Source Technologies, Inc., Ingram Content Group’s leading e-textbook solution, and CB, the largest educational content provider in the Netherlands, announced an agreement with the Dutch Publishers Association to develop a comprehensive e-textbook fulfillment platform for the higher education system throughout the region.
“There is great demand in the Netherlands for digital course materials, and our goal is to offer and deliver publisher content to readers in the formats they desire and use most,” said Mathijs Suidman, Commercial Manager, Digital Media at CB. “Our work with Vital Source will give us the necessary tools to develop a comprehensive e-textbook offer for the Dutch Publishers Association and connect more students, educators, and institutions to the newest interactive learning tools and e-textbooks from the leaders in education.”
Publishers that are members of the association and that work with CB will have the opportunity to take advantage of expanded title reach through the platform, beginning this month. The VitalSource Bookshelf platform supports more than 17 languages, including Dutch.
Students, educators, and institutions who purchase e-textbooks from CB will enjoy the benefits that the VitalSource Bookshelf platform provides, which includes integrated download, online and mobile content options, advanced searching, annotation, reporting, note-sharing and accessibility features. The platform also provides analytic and outcome support tools to supplement learning.
CB integrated its online store with the VitalSource Bookshelf platform through industry-standard web integration.
“Vital Source is focused on ways digital technology can enhance learning,” said Kent Freeman, Chief Operating Officer, Vital Source Technologies, Inc. “We are pleased that our work with CB and the Dutch Publishers Association will help rich content reach the education community and enhance learning through this first-of-a-kind large-scale program in Europe.”
The VitalSource Bookshelf platform is the most used e-textbook delivery platform in higher education with more than 3.25 million users across 6,000 campuses around the world. It uses the latest technology to enhance the learning experience through e-textbooks and digital education. Content from more than 350 of the world’s top academic publishers is accessible to Bookshelf users anytime, anywhere, and on a variety of operating systems and devices. Learn more about the VitalSource Bookshelf platform at www.vitalsource.com.
ABOUT THE DUTCH PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION
The Dutch Publishers Association represents the collective interests of all affiliated publishing companies throughout the Netherlands: publishers of books, newspapers, magazines and of electronic media. The Association has member groups including the General Publishing Group (GAU), Educational Publishing Group (GEU), Media for science and profession (MVW), Dutch Newspaper Publishers Association (NDP) and Consumer Magazines Group (GPT) and seeks to provide an optimum representation of the specific interests of individual members within these groups. For more information visit www.nuv.nl/
ABOUT CB
CB, formerly known as Centraal Boekhuis, has over 140 years of experience as an integrated logistics provider. CB offers solutions in the form of logistic services, e-commerce logistics, distribution and digital information and communications. The company has an extensive distribution network serves the entire Dutch and Belgian markets. Active in the Media, Healthcare and Fashion industries, CB has over 800 employees and achieved a turnover of 87 million euros in 2012. For more information visit www.cb-logistics.nl
ABOUT INGRAM
Ingram Content Group Inc. is a subsidiary of Nashville-based Ingram Industries Inc. The company provides books, music and media content to over 39,000 retailers, libraries, schools and distribution partners in 195 countries. More than 26,000 publishers use Ingram’s fully integrated physical and digital distribution, logistics, and manufacturing solutions to access global consumer demand, and realize the full business potential of book content. Ingram’s operating units are Ingram Book Company, Lightning Source Inc., Vital Source Technologies, Inc., Ingram Periodicals Inc., Ingram International Inc., Ingram Library Services Inc., Spring Arbor Distributors Inc., Ingram Publisher Services Inc., Tennessee Book Company LLC, Coutts Information Services, and ICG Ventures Inc. For more information, visit www.ingramcontent.com