College Textbooks – Freebies Available?

Need to buy some college textbooks this semester?

As a matter of fact, buying college textbooks today is a major financial and academic challenge for many new and continuing students.

Finally, help is on the way!

There’s a movement afoot, blossoming on college campuses across the nation.

It’s called the “Open Educational Resources” movement…otherwise known as OER.

And academic libraries are leading the way.

Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely accessible, openly licensed text, media, and other digital assets that can be very helpful to students struggling to pay for commercial academic textbooks.

What does this really mean for college students?

First of all, it provides you with options in terms of saving textbook dollars.

The cost of an average, individual textbook can range anywhere from $200- $400, depending on the academic discipline.

Many academic courses not only require textbooks, but also additional print/online resources and/or course packets as well.

If you’re on a tight financial budget, then finding textbook bargains is a must!

Secondly, make friends with your campus reference librarian as soon as you step foot on campus.

Academic librarians know how to track down, access, and evaluate “freebies” such as OER that you’ll need for class.

Above all, interacting with campus reference librarians first can save you lots and lots of dollars in textbook purchases.

Campus BookstoreIn addition, always ask the campus reference librarian one key question:

“How can I benefit from integrating this material into my course study plan?”

As a result, you’ll learn how to develop your own validated information resource list that you’ll utilize throughout your undergraduate experience.

In fact, reference librarians are an invaluable academic and professional resource often underutilized by their campus communities.  Reference librarians are information literacy masters.

They know how to access, evaluate and recommend how to incorporate  “freebies” as well as other information resources into your overall academic study plan.

And besides, they can save you money!

 



Hence, those new to a college campus and/or those returning to a college campus, make it a point to visit your campus reference librarian.

Also ask their advice about purchasing textbooks and other available educational resources.

Finally, don’t underestimate what they know about campus life, faculty expectations, and academic resources.

It just doesn’t really make any sense for you to pay full price for commercial textbooks these days…especially when you have other options.College Textbooks

Remember, collaborating with your campus reference librarian will give you direct access to those other options including Open Educational Resources (OER).

Not to do so is overlooking a potential academic opportunity, which none of you want to do…correct??

View the short video below.  Get some insight from your peers.

And don’t overlook the elibrary services at your local public library as well…you’ll be surprised at what you may find!

Produced by the University of Texas at Austin (UTA), the following video offers great insight into O.E.R. and why students need to join the O.E.R. bandwagon!

#CampusBookstore, #College, #Student, #textbook #library

College Success Life Blog

College Success Life Blog

Mélange Information Services, Inc provides educational services (classes, workshops, and seminars) in the following areas of expertise: information literacy, health literacy, knowledge management and workforce development.

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