Why Can't the Library Provide Textbooks?
Academic libraries have traditionally not purchased textbooks for both budgetary and logistical reasons. While the library offers short-term access to print textbooks through Course Reserve, these are often provided by faculty. Unfortunately, not all faculty take advantage of this service, and many courses do not place materials on reserve. Libraries are hampered by restrictive licensing agreements and prohibitive pricing structures that make it difficult to provide digital textbook access to students. Even when requested, some publishers refuse to sell electronic versions to libraries, as it undermines their business model. Copyright laws further prevent us from digitizing entire textbooks.
These challenges make it difficult for students who rely on library access, contributing to affordability issues. This highlights the importance of considering Open Educational Resources (OER), which offer cost-effective and accessible alternatives for students, addressing textbook access issues more broadly.
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