Textbook Affordability

The EMU Library and the Center for E-Learning Team Up on Textbook Affordability Effort

Many EMU students are not able to afford books assigned in courses. Many undergraduate students make stressful judgment calls early in the semester as to whether they can "get by" with just lecture notes, whether they can find a way to obtain needed texts, or whether they should drop a course when they can't afford the text. Graduate students tell us they sometimes take fewer courses, because they are saving up for texts. The EMU Library is finding ways to help with text costs in some courses.

The EMU Library and the EMU Center for E-Learning were awarded a $25,000 grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Studies to fund an expansion of the Textbook Affordability Initiative.  Co-PI Bill Jones, Director of Instructional Technology and Information Management, has added a step to the course shell request process to alert EMU instructors to library services that may help provide students with free or less expensive course readings.

Course instructors can:

• use the Textbook Alternatives guide to search for open access textbooks or other alternatives that are more affordable,
• request library ebook versions of course books that students can read for free with an EMU NetID,
• consult with a subject specialist librarian on finding options for course readings,
• arrange for department presentations or workshops for instructors on how to find and use open resources and alternatives.

Center for E-Learning staff will meet with library faculty to consider other ways to collaborate on and promote the Textbook Affordability Initiative. The grant funds are being used to fund the expected increase in demand for library ebook versions of course books. Library ebooks purchased with previous grants and foundation funds to support courses are heavily used by EMU students.

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through a grant administered by the Library of Michigan. Some course ebooks are also funded by the EMU Library Textbook Affordability Initiative fund through the EMU Foundation. Questions on the project can be directed to Kate Pittsley-Sousa at [email protected]

November 15, 2019