Unrestricted Learning: The Value of Perpetual Access in Library Collections

At EBSCO, we believe that access to knowledge should be lasting. While we are a subscription-driven business, we are also committed to perpetual collection development. Through our Archives, eBooks, book ordering platforms, and the management of perpetual content within our SaaS platforms, we ensure that libraries and institutions optimize the physical and digital resources they acquire — providing stability and uninterrupted availability. 

Perpetual access is more than just a licensing model; it’s a safeguard for institutions that depend on long-term information access. By securing perpetual rights to e-books and archives, libraries can:

• Preserve Investments – Institutions retain access to previously acquired content, ensuring continuity of research and scholarship.
• Ensure Uninterrupted Learning – Faculty, researchers, and students can rely on these specific stable, long-term collections of resources.
• Support Historical Research – Access to past materials allows scholars to build upon previous work without gaps in availability. 

Libraries are as unique as the communities they serve — shaped by budget, location, and the needs of their users. While the definition of a library has expanded beyond books to include digital resources, the need for intentional, well-curated collections remains critical. Whether building digital archives or maintaining physical collections, libraries must have the flexibility to provide access to knowledge in all its forms.

This sentiment is echoed by the Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science’s (ODLIS) definition of library:

“Library -- from the Latin liber, meaning "book." In Greek and the Romance languages, the corresponding term is bibliotheca. A collection or group of collections of books and/or other print or nonprint materials organized and maintained for use (reading, consultation, study, research, etc.). Institutional libraries, organized to facilitate access by a specific clientele, are staffed by librarians and other personnel trained to provide services to meet user needs.”

EBSCO continues to invest in perpetual access solutions by partnering with publishers, expanding content offerings, and ensuring seamless digital preservation. Our platforms are designed to integrate perpetual access into institutional collections, allowing libraries to confidently build and maintain their resources over time. 

With the recent change in the e-book landscape, libraries are facing new challenges in collection development. EBSCO remains firm in its commitment to providing options.

EBSCO is committed to preserving historical and cultural content through our perpetual archive databases. Our archival investments span diverse fields, including U.S. history, art, religion, musicology, and ethnic studies.

• African American Historical Serials
• Atla
• Civil War Primary Source Documents
• Frick Art Reference Library Periodicals Index
• Latino-Hispanic American Experience (Arte Público Series)
• Revolutionary War Era Orderly Books

Our magazine archive collection continues to grow, offering perpetual access to iconic archive titles such as Time Magazine Archive, Ebony, Vanity Fair Magazine Archive, The Atlantic and new titles such as Science News, Travel + Leisure, and Food and Wine. These archives allow libraries to provide students, researchers, and historians with an unmatched depth of historical and journalistic content.

With a collection of 2.5 million+ multidisciplinary eBooks from top publishers, EBSCO offers a variety of acquisition models to fit institutional needs:

• Perpetual Purchase – Own content outright with flexible access models (1-user, 3-user, unlimited users, and DRM-free options).
• Demand-Driven Acquisition (DDA) – Libraries can allow users to discover content before committing to a purchase.
• Concurrent Access Model – Also known as Non-Linear Lending, enabling broader availability.
• Subscription Options – Providing ongoing access to a curated selection of high-demand content.

For libraries looking for expertly curated collections, EBSCO offers more than 100 subject sets, ensuring a diverse selection to meet various needs. With free rapid MARC record delivery, powerful collection management tools, and ongoing training and support, libraries can simplify and optimize their eBook acquisition process. As a trusted and efficient partner, EBSCO makes managing digital collections seamless and librarian friendly.

GOBI Library Solutions offers libraries access to millions of print and eBook titles from leading academic and professional publishers, seamlessly integrating with systems like Alma, FOLIO, and WorldShare. With flexible acquisition models, including demand-driven acquisition (DDA) and evidence-based acquisition (EBA), libraries can tailor their purchasing approach to meet both immediate and long-term collection needs.

To further enhance the book ordering experience, we collaborated with over thirty libraries to develop Mosaic, a modern, streamlined platform built from the ground up in partnership with libraries and publishers. Mosaic leverages the strengths of GOBI and EBSCOhost Collection Manager (ECM) while introducing innovative features, an intuitive user interface, and enhanced functionality to simplify and modernize the acquisition process.

Managing print books and perpetual eBooks is easier than ever with FOLIO and EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS). These platforms work together to help libraries streamline acquisitions, organize collections, and provide seamless access to users.

FOLIO offers a flexible, open-source system that integrates both print and digital materials. Its tools track ownership, licensing, and availability, while the Electronic Resource Management (ERM) module ensures perpetual eBooks are properly cataloged. Libraries can automate acquisitions through GOBI and EBSCOhost Collection Manager (ECM) and keep records up to date with MARC imports and metadata synchronization. Built-in analytics help libraries track usage and collection trends, making it easier to manage long-term access and sustainability.

EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) enhances a centralized search experience, allowing users to find both print and eBooks in one place. By pulling metadata from Integrated Library Systems (ILS) like Alma, FOLIO, and Sierra, EDS provides direct links to perpetual eBooks. Libraries can also prioritize perpetual access content, ensuring long-term availability of essential resources. Plus, GOBI and ECM integration ensures that new perpetual eBooks are instantly discoverable.

With FOLIO and EDS, libraries get a powerful, efficient solution for managing books and eBooks, making it easier to provide long-term, seamless access to other perpetual resources.

By offering both perpetual and subscription-based solutions, EBSCO provides libraries with the flexibility, security, and efficiency needed to navigate the evolving landscape of information access.