Library resources save students $165,000 in course materials costs

Among the strategies to reduce the cost of textbooks and course materials for students, University Libraries encourages instructors to consider assigning online content purchased by the Libraries as course materials.  When students access their course materials through library-licensed e-books, journal articles, and streaming videos, the cost avoidance may significantly lower their total cost of college.
 
This fall the Libraries collected anonymous usage data indicating the number of times students (in aggregate) clicked links to library electronic resources from courses in the Blackboard learning management system.  When multiplied by an average cost for online e-books, videos, and journal articles, the total calculated savings for students during the 2023 fiscal year was approximately $165,000. 
 
"This analysis shows the impact that our library collections can have on student learning and college affordability," remarked interim dean of University Libraries Janet Hulm. "We desire to exponentially increase these savings for students through our work with faculty and the campus community." 
 
The Libraries have several faculty partnership initiatives to provide access to affordable course materials,  promote open educational resources and open textbooks, and streamline their syllabi using library resources.  For more information about these affordable learning initiatives, contact your subject or regional campus librarian. 

Additionally, in Spring 2024 we will publish guides for adding e-resources and other library educational content to Canvas, the University’s new learning management system. In the meantime, please contact head of learning services Chris Guder with questions about adding library content to Canvas.   
 
For questions about this study, please contact interim assistant dean of research and educational services Chad Boeninger.