eTextbooks for Students (Fall 2023)

We are continuing with UVic Libraries etextbooks for students project, started in fall 2021, to track the use of library licensed electronic books assigned in courses for the fall 2023 academic term. The project provides a list of electronic versions of course textbooks that are available to students through the Library and supports access and affordability efforts that are important to student success. This year, the list has moved to a new location. 

This project complements the Libraries’ advocacy efforts and aligns with its Strategic Directions. With this project we have the opportunity to scan the university landscape to determine the extent to which the Libraries’ licensed resources are being used at all levels of course work. The Libraries’ expanded ebook collection allows instructors to assign quality course materials, while providing affordable solutions for students. 

These savings improve students’ access to affordable, quality education and are closely aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals #4.

During the 2023 fall term, we believe instructors saved UVic students a total of $436,889.11 by identifying 183 titles used in 160 courses. Please check back here at the beginning of the spring 2024 semester for further savings.

CALL TO ACTION:

FACULTY: Let us know if you are using an open textbook or UVic Libraries licensed resources for your course this academic year!

STUDENTS: Let us know if you are accessing an open textbook or library licensed resources for your course!

eTextbooks for Students (2022-2023)

We are continuing with UVic Libraries pilot project, started in fall 2021, to track the use of library licensed electronic books assigned in courses for the spring 2022-23 academic term. The eTextbooks project supports access and affordability efforts that are important to student success. The website lists the ebooks by title, Course number, term, and Instructors’ last name.

This project complements the Libraries’ advocacy efforts around open education resources (OER) and aligns with its Strategic Directions. Our OER initiative includes an annual offering of OER grants, cross-campus collaborations with Learning Teaching Support & Innovation, the Bookstore, and the Undergraduate Student Union (UVSS). The project gave us the opportunity to scan the university landscape to determine the extent to which the Libraries’ licensed resources were being used at all levels of course work. The Libraries’ expanded ebook collection allows instructors to assign quality course materials, while providing affordable solutions for students.

With the assistance of our Young Canada Works intern, Liam McParland, we identified 280 total titles used in 394 courses during the fall and spring terms. We searched the University Bookstore’s textbook catalog to identify titles adopted by instructors. In adopting the Libraries licensed resources for their courses, we believe instructors saved UVic students a total of $794,469 and in doing so created high impact for students’ access and affordability to a quality education. These savings improve students’ access to affordable, quality education and is closely aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals #4.

CALL TO ACTION:

FACULTY: Lets us know if you are using an open textbook or a UVic Libraries licensed resources for you course this academic year.

STUDENTS: Let us know if you are accessing an open textbook or library licensed resources for your course!