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Article
Baby Steps to Big Impacts: The Evolution of Library Involvement in the Textbook System
South Carolina Libraries
  • Amie D Freeman, University of South Carolina
  • Tucker Taylor, University of South Carolina - Columbia
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Abstract

This article will discuss how textbook support and open educational resources (OER) have become critical considerations in the evolving library landscape. For years, textbooks have been the purview of the teaching staff at our colleges and universities, but libraries can no longer ignore the high costs, both societal and financial, of the current textbook environment. Library involvement in the textbook dilemma has come in three phases: chosen ignorance, meeting the immediate need, and striving for sustainable solutions. We will discuss each of these phases and will detail the University of South Carolina Libraries’ involvement in the textbook system. We will provide suggestions for other libraries interested in growing an OER program, focusing on development, implementation, and assessment for schools operating with limited resources. Finally, we will share our predictions for the future of library involvement in responding to the demand for affordable course materials.

Citation Information
Amie D Freeman and Tucker Taylor. "Baby Steps to Big Impacts: The Evolution of Library Involvement in the Textbook System"
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/amie-freeman/3/