UM Library Champions Textbook Affordability

An Initiative to Save Students Money

The cost of college education is a pressing issue for many students and their families. Apart from tuition fees, housing, and living expenses, students also need to shell out a significant amount of money for textbooks and other academic supplies. In an effort to alleviate this financial burden, the J.D. Williams Library at the University of Mississippi is spearheading an initiative aimed at providing free e-book copies of required textbooks.

According to the University’s Office of Financial Aid, the estimated cost of textbooks and supplies for undergraduate students is approximately $1,200 per year, a considerable sum that adds to the financial strain of higher education. Furthermore, students often lament over purchasing costly textbooks that they end up using sparingly, if at all.

Working Towards a Cost-Effective Solution

In response to these concerns, the library recently held an interactive event involving faculty members from across the campus. The objective of this event, as explained by Elizabeth Batte, the Outreach and Strategic Initiatives Librarian, was to identify professors who were interested in replacing traditional textbooks with cost-effective e-book alternatives.

While most faculties are allowed to select academic texts at their own discretion, provided they comply with departmental guidelines, the burden of textbook cost is ultimately borne by the students. For this reason, the institution hopes to collaborate with professors in acquiring an e-book version of required textbooks. These e-books, available through the University’s library catalog, would be accessible to all students for free.

Open Education Resources: A Step Towards Accessible Learning

Brian Young, the Collection Strategist and Scholarly Communication Librarian, introduced the concept of open educational resources (OERs) to the faculty. OERs are teaching, learning, and research resources, including textbooks or other academic materials, freely available to anyone with internet access.

Student Perspective

Dylan Troutman, a Junior Biology major, described his struggle with textbook expenses. Like many other students, Troutman tries to find textbooks across different platforms like Amazon or third-party websites, aiming for the cheapest deal. Armed with the promise of free e-books from the library, students like Troutman are optimistic about the potential for substantial savings in the future.

Challenges and Future Plans

While the initiative garners attention and seems promising, there are certain limitations. Some texts may not be eligible for library acquisition due to courseware or accreditation requirements. Nonetheless, the University aims to solve as many textbook problems as possible and alleviate students’ financial burden.

As a potential solution, Young suggests students capitalize on the used book markets or sell books amongst themselves to save money. The campus may need to come together and explore solutions, working within the limits, to provide affordable education for all.

Batte concludes by encouraging students to express their opinions on textbook affordability. She emphasizes that faculty and administrators play a crucial role in reducing overall education costs and invites them to discuss broader views on textbook affordability. This campus-wide collaboration may bring about lasting change in textbook culture at the University of Mississippi.