Document Type

Conference Presentation

Embargo Period

10-2-2023

Publication Date

9-25-2023

Department

Academic Affairs Faculty

Abstract

Purpose: Data shows that at least 81% of medical students and 75% of health professional doctoral students graduate and enter the profession with student loans. Access to textbooks and ancillary instructional materials is essential, yet data shows that textbook prices have increased over 1000% between 1977-2015, exacerbating the systematic barriers to student access, affordability, and success in higher education. Open Educational Resources (OER) can reduce student textbook costs while also giving faculty the flexibility to adapt course materials to meet specific course needs. Librarians have experience leveraging subscription resources to reduce student costs and are well positioned to promote the adoption of OER in higher education and support campus affordability initiatives.

Description: This interactive session will empower librarians to take the first step towards implementing affordable learning initiatives at their own institutions by providing an overview of OER, highlighting resources for identifying high-quality OER in the health science disciplines, and discussing techniques to engage faculty, students, and administrators as advocates for adopting OER and library-subscribed resources on your campus.

Outcome/Discussion: Librarians are a natural fit to lead textbook affordability initiatives in the current climate of concern over student debt, especially when institutions are actively investigating student cost saving measures. We have an opportunity to work with the decision-makers to offset some of that financial burden by using zero or low-cost textbooks and ancillary materials. Examples will be shared so presentation attendees will leave the session with ideas to approach implementing OER initiatives at their institutions.

Description

Presentation at the SC/SCC MLA Joint Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA, September 2023.

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