1. Talk with your Liaison Librarian
This is the single most effective way you can make your course materials more affordable! Your Liaison Librarian can help you find materials for your course that are available through UAB Libraries, put items on Reserve, and explore open materials. Find their contact information here.
2. Utilize Course Reserves
Use this form to put items on Reserve or request the library purchase items.
3. Link to library items on your Canvas page
This helps your students stay aware of which materials they have the option of borrowing from the library instead of purchasing. See more on creating permalinks here.
4. Make your students aware
Make sure your students know how to check the library's Course Reserves, and request additional library materials.
5. Communicate with the UAB Bookstore
Every semester, the bookstore supplies the library with a complete list of course textbooks based on the information you provide them. The faster you get this information to the bookstore, the faster they can get this information to us!
*Given the volume of textbook information they compile, your fastest option is still to reach out to us directly.
6. Consider sticking to older versions of a textbook
Changes in new editions are usually minor, and this helps keep the cost down and makes it more likely the library can justify purchasing it.
7. Don't require online text packs and add-on study materials
Access codes are often needed for students to use these materials, and they usually drive up the price of the textbook. This means students must be able to afford expensive materials in order to excel in your course, and access codes also mean the sell back value is usually very low.
Read more about concerns regarding access code textbooks here.
The design of this page was adapted in part from Research: By Course, Subject, or Topic, by University of Arizona Libraries, © 2020 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University of Arizona, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
