University Library System to Lead Course Affordability
By Matthew Kennedy, Director, Marketing and Communications
The libraries are leading the campuswide effort to reduce the cost of students’ course materials.
Texas A&M University Libraries are enhancing its list of popular services with a new $3.3 million reinvestment from the university. Well-positioned with this funding, the Libraries announced several initiatives including the launch of OpenEd, an innovative program that saves students money on the increasing cost of textbooks and course materials.
The Libraries’ experience in reducing students’ educational costs expanded in 2017, when they launched an Open Education Resources (OER) program, the OpenEd precursor. Through the use of library-licensed materials alone, it is estimated that students realized savings of just under $1 million in the fall 2023 semester. As OpenEd grows, the Libraries expect savings to increase exponentially.
The Libraries’ new course material affordability effort will be developed over the next three years using funds from the Office of the Provost to hire program-focused librarians and technical staff. Working alongside expert librarians, faculty and other academic support professionals, the new staff is charged with removing price barriers so all students can own or have access to required course materials.
“OpenEd will help keep course materials affordable for current and future Aggies,” said Dr. Alan Sams, provost and executive vice president. “That is our objective, and that is a top priority for our libraries.”
The course material affordability unit, housed in the Libraries, will:
- identify low- to no-cost course materials;
- support faculty who adopt, adapt and create OERs;
- increase awareness of program funding opportunities;
- and assess the program’s impact on student success.
“Course material affordability has been a priority service offered by the Libraries and Texas A&M for years,” said Julie Mosbo Ballestro, university librarian and assistant provost. “OpenEd will expand those efforts and create an even greater impact.”
Student Savings: The Building Blocks
In preparation for the three-year launch of OpenEd, the Libraries are consolidating course reserves under the new unit.
“Our existing, longstanding offerings for course reserves, open educational resources and open access materials have helped to make courses more affordable,” said Mosbo Ballestro. “OpenEd will consolidate those resources with enhanced, university-level focus and additional resources. I’m excited about the creation of positions dedicated to a program that will cut costs for students.”
Savings generated through OER efforts will vary depending on majors, but with over 70% of Texas A&M students receiving some kind of financial aid, even modest cost reductions can help.
“With the ever-increasing costs of housing, transportation and food on top of tuition, it’s no secret that budgeting for four years of college is difficult,” said Ben Fisher ’24, senior class president. “The university’s efforts to reduce our educational expenses mean a lot to us, and can help ease the competing pressures between focusing on our studies or striving to make ends meet to pay bills.”
A Bright Future
A portion of the $3.3 million reallocated to the Libraries was used to support OpenEd initiatives - funding three staff positions. After three years, the Libraries hope to expand OpenEd for students throughout the Texas A&M University System.
“University Libraries continue to innovate and find new ways to serve students, faculty and staff,” said Mosbo Ballestro. “OpenEd is a game changer that will keep courses affordable for all Aggies. That’s something all of us care about deeply.”
Plans for investing the remaining funds include providing raises for current librarians and professional staff, strengthening the Libraries’ renowned instructional services program that helps students and faculty develop informational literacy and research skills, expanding data management expertise, creating an enhanced digital library collections presence and increasing access to special and archival collections and expertise.
A new space use allocation plan will soon be developed with input from students, faculty and staff. This aligns with the Libraries’ vision to provide environments where students can succeed personally and academically. The space planning process will also include discussions on the creation of makerspaces, an improved area for students to check out technology, new study spaces and other areas for units and academic partners.
“There has never been a more exciting time at Texas A&M University Libraries,” Mosbo Ballestro said. “It’s invigorating. I feel honored to work here and I cannot wait to work on exciting projects like OpenEd to do what we do best – serve and support Aggies.”
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About Texas A&M University Libraries
Comprising five unique libraries, the Texas A&M University Libraries are a hub of resources, spaces and professionals supporting the success of research, learning and teaching. The Libraries’ advance student success and partner in innovative research, while providing a physical and digital home to all students, staff, faculty and researchers. To learn more visit library.tamu.edu
