In January, TUA Libraries asked our students what they thought about the cost of textbooks

An Open Letter to UTA Students

U T A with star in the center, used when staff photo is unavailable

by Michelle Reed

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Hi there,

If I could take a moment to introduce myself. I’m Michelle. I’m your Open Education Librarian, and I joined the team at UTA Libraries about six months ago to save you money. I’ve asked you what you think about textbooks, and I want you to know that we hear you. Textbook costs are a problem. We have a solution. It’s called open educational resources (OER). If you’ve been in the University Center this week, you may have seen some of them. They’re free textbooks, essentially, but they look a lot like the ones you pay hundreds of dollars for. If you like the sound of that, there are a few things you can do to give me a hand:

1. Ask your instructors if they’ve considered open educational resources

Stop by the FabLab on the first floor of Central Library on Friday between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and we’ll check the Open Textbook Library for a free textbook match for your traditional textbooks. We’ll also give you cake.

2. Nominate a Textbook Hero

Have you taken classes with an instructor who used OER-- or, materials that didn’t cost you anything? Nominate them as a Textbook Hero for a chance to win one of two $50 gift cards. Nominations accepted in person on Friday, March 31, from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. in the Library's FabLab. Or send in your nominations on Twitter using #UTAtextbookhero. Online nominations are due by April 18. So are your taxes.

3. Tell us your story

Impacted by the cost of textbooks? Tell me about  it. @LibrariansReed

I hope to see you on Friday. Seriously, we have a lot of cake.

Free the textbook,

Michelle

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