Crumb Library is launching a textbook pilot starting in Spring 2018 to help students who are struggling to purchase personal copies of textbooks. A study done in January demonstrated that it would cost $45,000 to purchase one copy of each book required or recommended for classes. That is not feasible given our current budget, however, we have limited funds (~$7,000) to start a pilot to help alleviate the problem this semester.
Faculty are always welcome to put personal copies of textbooks and readings on Reserve.
Faculty can also recommend that we purchase a copy for reserve. Your course might be a good fit for this pilot if:
- You are aware that students have not purchased a copy and are struggling to complete assigned readings
- If a significant amount of the textbook is expected to be used
- If a three-hour reserve copy would be useful (e.g. if students are not expected to use the text in class or on a daily basis)
- Many textbooks include access codes to online content. If the content provide by access codes is not required for your course, then a reserve copy of the textbook might be warranted.
Some issues to consider when recommending textbook purchases:
- The College Libraries do not purchase "consumables" such as lab manuals and workbooks.
- Content managed by textbook access codes have license restrictions that do not allow multiple users. We cannot purchase access codes nor make them available with reserves copies.
- If a newer edition of your textbook is available, should the library purchase the older or newest edition of your textbook?
- Is this textbook being used for multiple courses in your department?
- Is this textbook going to be used again in the fairly near future?
- Many books on reserve never get used by students. If you recommend purchases for reserve, we request that you let students know that materials are available, and encourage them to use them.
If you have any questions about this pilot, contact Marianne Hebert hebertm@potsdam.edu or 315 267-3308
