NASIG 2024

Program Description:
At Indiana University Libraries - Bloomington, Scholarly Communication librarians continue to explore methods to decrease costs for students. A pilot project was developed to obtain course materials data in order to purchase multi user ebooks for classes.This is a practice that peer libraries like Illinois State University and Virginia Commonwealth University have utilized to further course material affordability. Purchasing eBooks is seen as complementary to OER efforts because these are course materials that often do not have an OER equivalent; in other words, library acquisition is one of the only replacement options. There were a number of hurdles to the project, including working with both external and internal partners, determining ebook licensing from existing data, and working with a tight timeline. The project has now progressed into an ongoing effort, as we refine the workflow and look for more ways to automate the process.

This session will provide a high-level overview of how the project was implemented, with specific details about the workflow that other libraries can adapt to their context, including identifying partners, getting funding, securing and cleaning course material data, comparing this data to existing holdings and licenses, purchasing content, and outreach to professors. Presenters will also provide a conceptual framework for other libraries considering similar initiatives. This will include discussing balancing saving students money and extending the collection to be more responsive to the curriculum with creating a service that doesn’t transform the publishing industry or instructor behavior. The session will conclude with ideas for scaling IUB’s program down so that libraries of all sizes can create a program that is appropriate for their context. These options might include raising awareness about electronic resources that libraries already own, collaborating with subject librarians to search for course materials less systematically, or creating mechanisms for professors to engage with the library as part of their course material selection process.
Learning Outcomes:
​​​​A conceptual framework for a course material purchasing project
Overview of project implement at Indiana University Bloomington and analysis of the impact
Advice for how a similar project can be adapted to different contexts
Discussion of how purchasing complements or might detract from the goals of OER programs