Designed to provide concrete information for Canadian publishers as they develop their European export strategies, Selling Digital Books to International University Libraries: A Guide for Canadian Publishers (2022) examines the structure and scale of the university library market in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Switzerland, and Italy.

Vast and complex, the European market of university libraries has structured itself around consortia, both in terms of supply and demand.

Written by Stéphane Labbé and Marie-Eve Dugas, the report provides tips on best practices in selling digital books to international university libraries, as well as strategies for Canadian publishers who seek to better understand and break into this market.

The report includes information on:

• the structure and scale of the university library market in Europe;
• the structure and operation of wholesalers and distributors in the European market;
• major library consortia, wholesaler, and distributor business contacts;
• issues and challenges facing Canadian publishers and strategies for dealing with them.

This report presents vital knowledge for any publisher looking to increase their presence and digital sales in the European university library market.

About the Authors

Stéphane Labbé (research director) has been working at the heart of the book industry for just over 25 years. He has held numerous positions, notably as an author, librarian, national sales manager, international sales director, but mainly as a publisher. Stéphane has also dedicated the last decade to polishing his knowledge on the book industry, namely by completing a master’s degree on the export of Canadian books, as well as a doctoral degree on the consumption of Québécois books. Stéphane currently acts as a scholar and strategic advisor for several ministries, professional associations, and publishers.

Marie-Eve Dugas has been a university librarian for 18 years, and the last 11 years as the library manager for a university institution dedicated to research. She has chaired various Québécois and Canadian committees and consortia, in addition to managing her library’s collections and to advising professors and scholars with respect to their informational needs.

2022

96 pages

C$30

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This publication is supported by a contribution from Global Affairs Canada’s CanExport Associations program.