A Closer Look At: Ebook Central’s User-Focused Roadmap
Over the past few weeks, we’ve heard your questions following our recent announcement about changes to the purchasing of print and perpetual access to electronic books through our platforms
In this post—and in future updates—we aim to clarify what’s changing and what isn’t, and, most importantly, reaffirm our commitment to supporting academic libraries.
When the Ebook Central platform launched in 2016, our goal was to significantly improve users' ebook research outcomes and boost the productivity of library staff. With its offering of a wide selection of curated content and a sophisticated administrative engine to support academic libraries, Ebook Central has become one of students’ and librarians’ most trusted and valued ebook platforms.
Ebook Central’s initial goals haven’t changed. It remains a user-friendly platform for research and learning, giving students, faculty and researchers seamless access to the ebooks they need. Users can easily discover and evaluate titles and take advantage of modern usability features with the ability to highlight, cite, take notes and annotate directly within each book.
Importantly, Ebook Central will continue to host perpetual access holdings and enable upgrades, including automated ones. The ebooks that libraries own on Ebook Central will remain theirs, in perpetuity, with the ability to upgrade licenses indefinitely. We will also add a new long-term digital preservation solution for libraries to further demonstrate our commitment to preserving ebook content.
LibCentral, the administrative module behind Ebook Central, where libraries access and manage reporting, analytics, usage, invoicing, library holdings and more, remains a core asset within Ebook Central and will continue to be developed.
With ongoing investments in the platform in 2025 and beyond, academic libraries can be confident that Ebook Central will keep them on pace to meet their users’ expectations and institutional goals.
Read on to learn about what’s ahead for Ebook Central, including its focus on accessibility, its new Reader App, the carefully developed academic AI-powered research assistant and advances in digital preservation.
Accessibility At the Forefront
ProQuest is committed to providing a user-friendly experience, with various accessibility features and assistive technologies to support all students’ academic success. The Ebook Central Platform is ASPIRE verified and accredited four years in a row, with transparent accessibility information that’s available to all users. The interface is compliant with WCAG 2.1, and an OpenDyslexic typeface is provided to assist with readability.
The accessibility landscape is constantly evolving, with new legislation such as the European Accessibility Act (EAA) being introduced to establish accessibility requirements for various products and services—including ebooks. To support these changes and create a more inclusive experience for all users, Ebook Central will be switching the default online reading format from PDF to EPUB in early Q2 2025.
Why Electronic Publications (EPUBs)?
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- Accessibility: EPUB is a responsive format that adjusts to screen sizes, making it compatible with assistive technologies like screen readers.
- Adapting to new standards: This change supports evolving global accessibility standards and legislation, including the European Accessibility Act 2025 and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act.
- Enhanced reading features: EPUBs are designed for a modern, digital reading experience. They offer features like reflowable text and embedded multimedia elements like video and audio.
Libraries can learn more about accessibility in our upcoming webinar, in partnership with Library Journal: “Navigating the Evolving Accessibility Landscape.” Register here.
Research Anytime, Anywhere With a New Reader App
In mid-2025, ProQuest will also be introducing a new Ebook Central Reader App, designed to meet researchers where they are with secure, on-the-go access. The new mobile app will provide users with an easy way to download and read ebooks from their library and will offer improved accessibility.
The app will create a more intuitive ebook experience for both librarians and their patrons:
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- User Experience: Streamlined authentication, with an enhanced user interface supporting multiple languages and developed with accessibility in mind
- Reading Experience: In-depth book details, adjustable reading settings and simple navigation create an optimized reading experience
- Book Management: Easy to download books for reading on devices with a quick access widget on the “My Bookshelf” screen, enabling instant reading
Built by the in-house development team at ProQuest, the app also offers a more secure reading platform, protecting content from piracy or misuse. Ongoing feature enhancements will be introduced, with insights from library development partners to inform future development.
Innovations That Evolve With Students
Students need trusted AI tools that enhance research and learning while upholding core academic values. The Ebook Central Research Assistant is a responsibly developed academic AI tool designed to guide and enrich students’ academic journeys.
Powered by our Academic AI Platform, the Assistant helps students evaluate, analyze, and explore ideas while building critical thinking and research skills. The Assistant is grounded in comprehensive, curated content and ensures academic integrity and excellence in the research process.
Key features for student and researcher success include:
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- Instant chapter insights: Key takeaways offer an easy-to-understand description of the chapter to help users quickly assess the relevance to their research
- Key concepts: Contextual explanations help users dissect and understand complex topics, nurturing critical thinking skills
- Curated features: Trusted, publisher-provided metadata, including book descriptions and Ebook Central subjects, give valuable research details that don’t rely on AI
From gathering key takeaways to exploring complex topics, the Ebook Central Research Assistant boosts student confidence and efficiency throughout the research journey. Watch our on-demand webinar to learn more about leveraging AI innovations to improve student outcomes.
Digital Preservation
Digital preservation is of great importance for the library community. ProQuest’s SAFE (Secure Archives ForEver) service supports preservation and access to content, with multiple layers of safety, security, and stability so libraries can feel confident about their investments. Based on feedback from the community, we are pleased to be adding Portico, in addition to our solution SAFE, to further demonstrate our commitment to preserving your owned content.
Built For Students, Built For Librarians
There’s more to learn about Ebook Central. Check out these resources.
