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BGSU's "Library as Bookstore" model

How we UNO reversed ourselves

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History of the program

  • FTE 16,000 across two campuses
  • Course reserve
    • Pilot in 2013 to proactively procure reserves with a budget of $5,000
    • Identify course reserves using booklist/textbook website
    • Did not purchase textbooks per collection development
  • 2017 – BGSU Administration looked to outsource textbook management
  • 2018 – Library officially took over textbook registration, student store stopped stocking physical course material

History of the program

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The work we took on

  • What we do/mission
  • VitalSource software
    • Captures course material registrations and imports those choices into a student-facing price comparison tool.
    • Textbook website is linked with the course registration website and student LMS portal.
    • All purchasing is done online
  • Reporting

The work we took on

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Screenshots of Textbook Website

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Affordability Initiatives

  • New processes
    • Search library catalog for library-purchased & OER options
    • Add no cost notes on textbook website
    • Share registration lists with OER & subject librarians
    • Help develop course reserve collection – place on and purchase
  • Student Contacts: Fall 24
    • Textbook Purchase Events: 18 employees helped 261 students
    • Individual Appointments: 51 students helped with in person & virtual meetings

Affordability Initiatives

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Management

  • Staffing and Revenue
  • Scope creep
    • New Student Orientation/Student success events
    • After purchase support
    • Training university employees to use registration software
    • Department purchases/partnerships
    • Dual enrollment support
    • Publisher liaison work
    • Market control on campus
    • Accessible copies and formats

Management

Take on textbook registration

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Questions?

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Andrea Boehme: andboeh@bgsu.edu

Gretchen Avery: gavery@bgsu.edu