That Textbook Costs How Much?!?! �Implementing an Affordable Textbook Program at �the Michigan State University Libraries

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Heidi Schroeder - Accessibility Coordinator �Michigan State University Libraries / hschroed@msu.edu

Starting an Affordable Textbook Program @ MSU Libraries

The Michigan State University (MSU) Libraries implemented an affordable textbook program for the Fall 2018 & Spring 2019 semesters. �

We identified high-enrollment, (primarily) 100/200-level courses with “expensive” textbooks and purchased several copies (1 per 150-200 students) for MSU Libraries Course Reserves.

Why an Affordable Textbook Program?

• College textbooks are expensive!!
• New University Librarian at MSU Libraries.
• Libraries are/should be players in student success �initiatives.�
• Why me?
• Secondary assignment in Text Management,�eTextbook & OER experience.

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Processes & Procedures

• VERY short implementation timeline.
• Initial Steps:
• Contact Registrar - course data request.
• Search course catalog & bookstore.
• Email faculty/departments & library liaisons.
• Asked profs./dpts. to advertise to students.
• Asked profs./dpts. to change ‘Textbooks on Reserve?’ field in SIS.

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Processes & Procedures

• Initial Steps (Continued):
• Buy the books
• bookstore due to “custom” editions, discount, “ease”.
• Work with Library units: Administration, Collections, Patron Services (Circulation)/Reserves, Acquisitions, Cataloging, Copy Center/Publishing Services (binding), Systems/IT - iPad.
• Contact Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities about accessible e-versions.
• Address thefts / change binding.

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Changes for Spring (based on Fall)

• *Tried* to get started earlier.
• Added holdings for Business Library Reserves.
• Received course suggestions from liaison librarians.
• Binding due to heavy use.
• Asked to come promote during first week of class.
• Exception: online courses, courses with many sections/no big lecture.
• IRB/created survey for end of semester.
• Recorded circ stats at 3 different times during semester.

Budget & $$$

• Allocated: $15,000 (for both semesters)
• Total spent: $13,594.06 (both semesters)

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• Most expensive book: $314.25 (Organic Chemistry)
• Least expensive book: $69 (Math)

Participating Courses

Fall 2018

• 11 courses
• 16 textbook titles.�
• Subject areas: chemistry, econ, engineering, human nutrition, psych, math, stats.

Spring 2019

• 24 courses
• 35 textbook titles. �
• Subject areas: accounting, biology, chemistry, computer science, econ, engineering, finance, human nutrition, psych, management, marketing, math, sociology, stats, supply chain, writing.

Usage: (Some) Circulation Statistics

Fall 2018

• Total # Checkouts: 1,043
• Most Circulated: CEM251/252
• Textbook: 406
• Study Guide: 349
• Least Circulated:
• 1 textbook = 1 circ
• 4 textbooks = 2-3 circs

Spring 2019

• Total # Checkouts: 977
• Most Circulated: CEM251/252
• Textbook: 192
• Study Guide: 159
• Least Circulated:
• 10 textbooks = 0 circs

(Very) Preliminary Survey Results

• 242 responses (out of ??).
• 26/242 HAD used a textbook on Reserve (11%).
• 193/242 had NOT used a textbook on Reserve (85%).

Responses of students who had NOT used Reserve textbooks:

• Why didn’t they?
• They bought/rented their own copy (46%).
• Didn’t know it was on Reserve (33%).
• Didn’t read/ever use textbook (19%).
• Shared with a friend/classmate (4%).

(Very) Preliminary Survey Results

Responses of students who USED Reserve textbooks:

• Why did they use?
• Didn’t buy - was too expensive (38%).
• Didn’t buy - knew it would be on Reserve (28%).
• Didn’t think they’d need it - but then did (13%).
• Bought e-version / wanted to use print version (9%).
• Bought own copy / used Reserve when they didn’t have theirs (9%).
• Shared w/ friend/classmate (3%).

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(Very) Preliminary Survey Results

Responses of students who USED Reserve textbooks:

• 84% said having the textbook on Reserve was either extremely useful (68%) or somewhat useful (16%).
• 56% thought the check-out period of 2 hours was enough (22% said No/should be longer, 22% were neutral/didn’t know).
• 26% checked out the book 1 time, 74% checked out the book more than 1 time.

(Very) Preliminary Survey Results

Responses of ALL students:

• Preferred textbook format:
• Print only: 30%
• Whatever is cheapest: 27%
• Print & Electronic: 26%
• Neutral/No opinion: 9%
• Electronic only: 8%
• Approximate $$ spend on ALL textbooks:
• $1-200: 44%
• $201-400: 35%
• $401-600: 11.5%
• $601+: 1.5%

Survey Comments

• Positive: 6 / Positive (but...): 2
• “It was extremely helpful and I would love it if you guys included more textbooks in the future.”
• Desire for e-access: 4
• Textbooks are too expensive: 6
• “The cost of textbooks is ridiculous, especially on top of tuition; the fact that I only get around $10 for a book that cost closer to $60 is also awful. This added cost bars people from lower income situations from getting the most out of their education due to this. The affordable textbook program is an okay start, but you can only use it at the library and it feels like treating the symptom, not the actual problem.”
• More promotion/awareness: 7
• “I wish there was more awareness to this program so I could have saved money.”

Lessons Learned/Future Directions

• Issues: thefts, bindings, last minute textbook changes, �access codes (avoid?), course/textbook selection time consuming.
• Need to promote/advertise better!
• Faculty/Departments & Registrar.
• To students directly.
• Library Communications/PR.
• Survey needs to go out earlier & be available at checkout.
• Keep selecting some less expensive textbooks & 300/400-level courses.
• Tie in with OER & Student Success conversations/initiatives.

Thank-you!!

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hschroed@msu.edu