Library Support for Biology Instruction

The library is keenly aware of the rising cost of course materials for students. Traditionally, the course reserves system has been our primary mechanism of supporting students who opt not to purchase required textbooks. This has come to fruition by placing professor-owned material as well as library-owned material on shelves behind a library desk and making it available for temporary checkout to enable resource sharing. However, this landscape has expanded as digital materials have become wide-spread. We now offer:

• Open Educational Resource Support
• Library purchase of DRM free text material where available
• Easy linking of library subscribed journal articles
• Scanning print material for electronic access via Canvas

Open Educational Resources (or OER) are materials intended for educational purposes that are entirely free to use, access, retain, and modify. The benefits of using an OER are many, I'll list just a few here:

• Students have free access to the course materials on day one of the course.
• Supports learning equity among students, by ensuring access to the materials.
• OER is licensed so that can be adapted to suit your specific learning context. 
• Increased ability to insert your own examples and supplemental readings because the textbook has zero monetary cost to the students.
• Students can retain the material in perpetuity. 

There are of course some drawbacks to using or transitioning a course to OER as well. Some of these issues are:

• It may not be recognized as a value added to the department or university to create an OER or switch a course to cost-free. 
• The evaluation of the materials may be time-consuming. 
• Finding the right materials may be time-consuming. 
• An instructor may find that the right materials for the course don't yet exist. 

However, there is broad support in the libraries and growing enthusiasm on campus for creating and redefining courses to be more accessible. The library is happy to support you in locating suitable OER options, discovering how OER can support your classes, or creating and sharing your own OER. Please reach out to learn more.

Learn why and how UT Austin faculty are using and creating OER.