This page brings together open access ebooks and open textbooks that support VTI programmes (ICT, Technology Management, Computer Systems Technology, Software Programming, Cybersecurity, Networking, and professional certificates). Use the “Start Here” section for the fastest results, then explore by collection type.
What you’ll find here: peer-reviewed OA books, reviewed open textbooks, and reputable ebook directories (with guidance on quality).
Tip: For scholarly research beyond books, use Find Research or browse the full A–Z Library Resources.
Start Here (Quick Picks)
If you only use a few ebook sources, start with these. They provide the strongest combination of quality, review processes, and discoverability.
Open textbooks (reviewed)
- OpenStax – Peer-reviewed open textbooks for core undergraduate topics.
- Open Textbook Library – Reviewed open textbooks; strong for computing fundamentals and business.
- BCcampus Open Textbooks – Reviewed textbooks including business and applied STEM topics.
Scholarly OA books (discovery)
- Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) – Directory of peer-reviewed academic books from many publishers.
- OAPEN – Platform for vetted OA books (strong for scholarly monographs; also useful for management/education topics).
- Open Research Library – Discovery platform for scholarly ebooks and OA book collections.
Open Textbooks & Teaching-Ready Ebooks
Best for course delivery and consistent learning outcomes. These sources are strong for ICT foundations, software programming, networks, and business/management support courses.
- OpenStax – Peer-reviewed open textbooks.
- Open Textbook Library – Reviewed open textbooks with faculty reviews.
- BCcampus Open Textbooks – Reviewed open textbooks (business + applied STEM).
- LibreTexts – Interactive/adaptable OER textbooks; quality varies by collection (best when selected by lecturers).
- Wikibooks – Community-created textbooks (supplementary; verify with course requirements).
Peer-Reviewed & Publisher-Vetted OA Book Collections
Use these when you need academic-level books for literature reviews, research projects, technology management, and broader ICT topics.
- Directory of Open Access Books (DOAB) – Strong starting point for vetted scholarly OA books.
- OAPEN – Curated OA book platform; strong for scholarly monographs.
- Open Book Publishers – High-quality OA scholarly books and textbooks.
- IntechOpen Books – OA books across engineering/technology; verify title-level quality for assignments.
- MDPI Books – OA books; assess title-level rigor and fit before recommending.
- Taylor & Francis OA Books – OA books/chapters across disciplines (useful for management, education, policy, and interdisciplinary ICT topics).
Reports & Evidence-Based “Book-Length” Publications
These are excellent for Technology Management, ICT policy, digital transformation, and applied research with Jamaica/Caribbean relevance (filter by Jamaica/Caribbean keywords where available).
- National Academies Press – Free PDFs of reviewed reports on computing, cybersecurity, AI, education, and technology policy.
- World Bank Open Knowledge Repository (OKR) – OA books/reports with strong ICT, development, and workforce content.
- Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) Publications – Development and policy publications; useful for Caribbean-relevant ICT/economic context.
Ebook Directories (Use with Care)
These can help you find free ebooks quickly, but quality and licensing vary. Use mainly for supplementary learning and always verify authorship, edition, and permissions.
- Free Books Centre – Technical and STEM/business ebook directory; verify quality at title level.
- Free Computer Books – CS/IT books and notes directory; verify currency and legitimacy of sources.
- The Online Books Page – Directory of publicly accessible ebooks (varied subjects and formats).
How to Choose the Best Ebook for Your Assignment
- For course textbooks: prioritize OpenStax, Open Textbook Library, and BCcampus.
- For academic books: search DOAB, OAPEN, and Open Research Library.
- For technology management and policy: use National Academies Press, World Bank OKR, and IDB Publications.
- Always check: publication date, author credentials, publisher/platform, and whether your lecturer requires peer-reviewed sources.