Please note: while we try to keep our guides as up-to-date as possible, the most current information on WSU Pullman Library operations and Services can be found at the links below:

• For current information on library operations and services see  Coronavirus COVID-19 Libraries Updates and Resources for more information. 
• For current information on getting or returning materials and remote access options see Special Circumstances: Remote Resources and Guidance. 

Over the past several years, students and educators have watched with concern as the cost of educational materials has risen dramatically. According to an NBC News study, textbook costs have increased more than 1,000% since 1977, outpacing the cost of medical care, new homes, and the consumer price index.

Expensive course materials can be detrimental to students as they may struggle to keep up in classes and may be more likely to drop out when they cannot readily access textbook material. Seeking to address these concerns, colleges and universities have begun to seek educational materials that are both high-quality and affordable for students.

As a public land-grant institution, WSU is committed to helping all students succeed in their courses. The cost of educational materials is of immediate concern at this university, as suggested by the recent Course Material Cost Reduction Initiative brought by the Associated Students of WSU. This guide addresses the issues raised by ASWSU and points to resources that can be used to help reduce costs in WSU courses.

Open educational resources (OER) are free and openly licensed educational materials that can be used for teaching, learning, research, and other purposes. OER are emerging as a strategy for lowering barriers to student academic success, specifically by ensuring that all students have access to course materials regardless of their financial situation.

Washington State University is encouraging use of OER through a variety of initiatives, including

• Grant funding for OER projects
• OpenStax partnership
• Open Textbook Library membership
• Course Cost Reduction Taskforce

WSU provides support for faculty members who wish to locate, adopt, or create OER through several units on campus. To learn more, please see this guide or contact the Open Education Support Team at oer@wsu.edu.

To cite this guide, please use: Anderson, T. & O'English, L. (2018). Open educational resources: Tools for affordable learning. Washington State University Libraries. Licensed Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). Retrieved from http://libguides.libraries.wsu.edu/affordablelearning