This guide is an adaptation of Eastern Michigan University's Explore Textbook Alternatives guide.
Textbooks and other course materials are an essential tool for any instructor. The recent proliferation of content types and access models can make navigating the selection of appropriate resources a challenge. SC4 library has created this guide to support faculty in understanding the options available to them, define content types and content models, and communicate some potential benefits and challenges of each.
SC4 faculty can address textbook affordability through the creative selection of class resources.
Open Access Texts
Open access textbooks are openly licensed books that mimic a traditional textbook, aside from the licensing.These books are available freely online and print copies are often available for purchase at a reasonable cost. More and more, supplemental resources for instructors are becoming available for these texts.
University Press and Trade books
University Presses publish high quality texts that are often more reasonably priced--the same can be true of scholarly associations and some small academic or technical publishers that specialize in a particular subject area. Trade books are usually less expensive than traditional texts and may work well for some classes.
Library eBooks
SC4 Library purchases and subscribes to more than 800,000 unique eBook titles.
Online Articles
SC4 Library subscribes to over 65,000 electronic journals, and indexes many open access publications as well.
Open Educational Resources
In addition to open access books and journals, there are many forms of openly licensed resources available, including open courseware, syllabi, images, videos, learning objects, and learning platforms.
The estimated average cost for books and supplies for 2 year college students for 2018-2019 was $1,440.
65% of students decided not to purchase a text when the price was too high--and a majority of those students were "significantly concerned" that not purchasing the text would harm their performance. [2013 Survey by Public Interest Research Group]
From 1978 - 2005, textbook prices rose at rates higher than new home prices, and even higher than medical expenses. [BLS]
From 2002-2012 textbook prices rose 82%, tuition and fees 89%, and general consumer prices 28%. [GAO based on BLS data]
The effects on students are severe: Frequently texts for even 100-200 level classes fall in the $100-300 range, presenting a formidable barrier for low income students.
Many students immediately fall behind, while waiting for financial aid payments or for a cheaper text ordered online to arrive.
Some use out-of-date previous editions or cheaper foreign editions, which may omit content found in U.S. editions.
Many students attempt the courses without a text, relying solely on lecture notes. Others postpone courses due to expenses.
In U.S.PIRG's 2013 poll, "nearly half of all students surveyed said that the cost of textbooks impacted how many/which classes they took each semester."
Students report emotional stress related to acquiring textbooks: “It’s not just a massive economic cost, but it’s also a massive mental cost. Oftentimes you don’t know what textbooks you need up until the very first day of class. Trying to scrounge … to find a book you can afford if your budget is pennies on the dollar can be very mentally taxing.”[source]
If we can lower the textbook expense barrier, more students may succeed, we can relieve some student (and faculty) stress, and we may improve time to graduation rates.
SC4 Library recognizes and appreciates faculty rights and responsibilities in reviewing and selecting appropriate resources for their courses. The purpose of this guide is to provide information, context and support for faculty during the materials selection process.
