Textbooks in Academic Libraries

Selection, Circulation, and Assessment

Chris Diaz

• Publisher: ALA Editions
• Year: 2017
• Print ISBN:
  9780838915875
• eBook ISBN:
  9780838916032
• Topic: Languages & Linguistics
• Subtopic: Library & Information Science
• Index: Languages & Linguistics

7

CAN HARD-COPY TEXTBOOKS ON LIBRARY RESERVE HELP ADDRESS THE TEXTBOOK DILEMMA?

Feng-Ru Sheu, Kay Downey, and Tom Klingler

Traditionally, academic libraries have not actively collected or purchased textbooks for their collections for the following reasons: (1) it is considered the students’ responsibility to buy textbooks on their own; (2) it is impractical and unsustainable for academic libraries to pay for and house the innumerable volumes needed to support student textbook needs; (3) textbooks are frequently replaced by newer editions and do not provide long-term value to the library; and (4) many universities protect campus bookstores’ revenue.1

But the rising cost of textbooks, compounded by the rapid succession of new editions and the increased requirement for multimedia textbooks, is a major concern in academia. Textbook affordability impacts many factors such as dropout rate, retention, and most importantly student learning.2 Buczynski writes that some students do not purchase required textbooks because they are financially unable to do so or may not register for certain classes due to textbook affordability.3 This creates inequality in the classroom and directly affects student success.

In recent years, academic libraries have offered print textbooks on reserve for students who cannot afford them. Today, as textbook costs become more difficult to manage, many academic libraries are reformulating their collection policies, taking into consideration textbook acquisitions and renewing their efforts in traditional library services such as course packs and reserves.4 Reserve services for print textbooks exist in university libraries such as George Mason University, the University of Minnesota, Virginia Tech, and UCLA, to name a few.5 George Mason University Libraries initiated their program after observing the disproportionate number of textbooks being requested via interlibrary loan. UCLA recognized the need and expanded their course reserves services for undergraduate courses to include textbooks.6 Program details vary but fundamentally accomplish the same goal. By expanding the collection services to include materials most valuable to the user, the library can provide a much-needed service and help level the socioeconomic playing field.

The textbook reserve services do have drawbacks and have been criticized as ineffectual, primarily for the reason that students may be unable to rely on the textbook being available at the point of need, particularly during times of high demand, when deadlines and exams are looming. The services also face criticism as a weak panacea in the face of mounting concern over the high cost of course materials.7 Although it is true that the textbooks on reserve service cannot be considered an all-encompassing solution to the textbook dilemma, providing hard-copy textbooks to students via the library is one way the university can help support student success.

Additionally, there are some complexities to the hard-copy-only program. For example, many textbooks that are electronic, or multimedia textbooks that have an accompanying disc, or are hybrid (partly hard copy with online supplements) feature copyright restrictions and may not be available for library reserve. Other challenges invo...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Contents
• Introduction
• One. “Basically Everything I Need, I Know the Library Has It”
• Two. Access and Affordability
• Three. The Good and the Bad
• Four. A Student-Funded Textbook Reserve Program
• Five. Building a STEM Collection of Undergraduate Textbooks
• Six. Evolution of a Textbook Circulation Program
• Seven. Can Hard-Copy Textbooks on Library Reserve Help Address the Textbook Dilemma?
• Eight. Walking the Tightrope: Balancing Students’ Desire for Textbooks and the Library Budget
• Nine. General Education
• About the Contributors
• Index