(via David McCaslin, Caltech Library)
What is the role of textbooks in today’s libraries? Like the cost of journal subscriptions, the price for textbooks have been increasing. Unlike with journals, students feel an immediate financial burden when the time comes to purchase their course textbooks. Universities and libraries have recognized this and many are doing interesting things to address this issue. The increased popularity of Open Educational Resources (OER) and other similar endeavors provides us with an opportunity to share those stories. But I know there are other stories out there to share. The Journal of Access Services is seeking manuscripts for an upcoming special issue that will address the role and impact of textbooks within libraries. This special issue will be comprised of case studies from a variety of types of libraries and hopefully a guest editorial.
Submissions may focus on, but are not limited to, the following topics.
- Impact of textbooks on course reserves
- Designing unique textbook programs within a library
- Interlibrary loan and textbooks-how do libraries handle this?
- Assessment studies on textbook use within a library
- Collaborations/partnerships with faculty/bookstore/student services regarding textbook access
- OER or similar programs-how were they developed and what was the impact on library users/staff?
- What is the future of the textbook in libraries?
I’m very excited to see what is happening in this area and look forward to sharing a great topical issue with all of you! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, at david@library.caltech.edu, about this particular topic or any other possible submissions. FYI-while this will be an upcoming special topic issue, we are always reviewing submissions for other related topics for other upcoming issues.