Digital textbook company CourseSmart has signed up its first group of universities to participate in its eTextbook program for faculty called Faculty Instant Access. The program gives instructors access to eTextbooks from within the campus’ library system.

The launch group includes nine universities and colleges. This includes: Arizona State University, Auburn University, Case Western Reserve University, LeTourneau University, Minnesota State University – Mankato, Savannah College of Art and Design, Texas A&M University, the University of Central Florida and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Val Ramirez, Director, Academic Support Services at Texas A&M University had this statement: “Participation in this eTextbook program will enable Texas A&M – Kingsville faculty to have a broader range of choices for textbooks. This will lead to better textbooks for our students.”

This comes as book retailers are preparing for a more digital back-to-school experience. Barnes & Noble launched its digital textbook program yesterday called NOOKstudy.

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Earlier this week, Barnes & Noble announced a new study digital tool called the NOOKstudy, and now Barnes & Noble is partnering with college bookstore operator Blackboard to distribute eTextbooks. The integration is expected later in the year.

Under the terms of the new partnership, both retailers will be selling eBooks and eTextbooks through Blackboard Learn, Blackboard’s Web-based education platform where teachers can assign books and students can purchase them. This increases the number of titles in Blackboard Learn. The partnership will also include a cross talk between Blackboard Learn and NOOKstudy, each company’s digital study tool.

Blackboard also partnered with Follett Higher Education Group to give students the ability to purchase and use digital textbooks from Follett directly in Blackboard Learn. As part of this partnership Blackboard will also be integrating with Follett’s CafeScribe, an eTextbook and social networking platform. For more about CafeScribe, check out our Q&A with CEO Bryce Johnson from last month.

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Half of US college students want to buy an eReader, according to a new study by consumer research group Alloy Media + Marketing. The report predicts a 13% rise in back-to-school spending by US college students, which works out to $306 billion, or $361 per student.

The Independent UK reports, “Although currently only 2% of students own an e-reader device, 50% of those surveyed plan to buy one within the next year.”

Students will also be spending money on smartphones. Alloy predicts that the number of students who own a smartphone will rise by 26%.

Barnes & Noble announced a new software for students called NOOKstudy, which will also likely get some attention from students this fall.

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