EDUCAUSE and Internet2 are implementing a new series of pilot efforts to evaluate technologies and business models in the fast evolving migration from traditional textbooks to electronic content.

The pilot departs from current etext practices in three key ways: it replaces individual purchases by students with site licenses negotiated and funded by campuses, it replaces paper textbooks owned by students with electronic materials licensed for use in specific classes, and it uses an ereader not associated with a specific publisher.

The main benefits have been for the students, who don't have to pay outrageous amounts for required texts, and can have their texts on the various machines they carry around with them all the time.

http://www.internet2.edu/netplus/etext/index.html