In support of textbook affordability, the Mansfield Library offers several services to help you find Open Educational Resources (OER), E-books, and other options for affordable course materials.
If you have questions about textbook affordability at UM, OER or any of these services, please contact Wendy Walker.
Textbook Affordability Services
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A streamlined process for finding out if the library can license specific e-books for your course(s).
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Let a librarian help you find OER for your course(s).
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A traditional library service that provides students with access to print copies of your textbooks and course materials.
What are Open Educational Resources (OER)?
OER are public domain or openly licensed educational materials that instructors and students may use, customize, and share for free. Instructors may use these learning resources in their classrooms as they would use traditional textbooks and other course materials, or they may modify or adapt them to fit the specific pedagogical needs of their course. OER reduce costs, narrow performance gaps, and help level the academic playing field for all students.
Learn more about OER
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Learn the basics.
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A free, openly-licensed Canvas course all about incorporating OER into your teaching.
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Learn how to find OA versions of journal articles and books for use in your course(s).
Why do OER matter?
- Textbook costs have risen 88% since 2006.
- One study found 65% of students opt out of purchasing textbooks.
- 48% of students said the cost of textbooks impacted how many and which classes they took each semester.
- 82% of students said free online access to textbooks would help them do "significantly better" in a course.1
1Sources: and the
In addition to addressing high textbook costs and providing day-one access to course materials for all students, studies have shown that OER improve students' academic results as well as course-level retention. OER also support innovative teaching practices. Learn more about the many for students and faculty.
The 2019-2020 OER@UMT Grant Pilot
Thanks to funding from the Mansfield Library, the Provost's Office, and the School of Extended and Lifelong Learning, we piloted a grant initiative called OER@UMT in Spring 2019. It was open to any course instructor at the 猎奇重口 and Missoula College. See the .
Funding from OER@UMT took two forms:
#1 OER Review Grant
Receive an incentive to review an existing open textbook. This is a great first step for faculty with little experience researching OER. Learn more about the OER landscape in your discipline! Faculty are encouraged to complete this grant before applying for an Adopt, Adapt, Create Grant.
Amount: $200
#2 Adopt, Adapt, Create Grant
Replace your current course textbook with OER that you either find, adapt, or create from scratch.
Amount: $500 to adopt or $1,000 to adapt an existing open educational resource or $2,500 to create an open educational resource.