Open textbooks - finding and using

"OERs are teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license that permits their free use and re-purposing by others." 

Source: The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation

Why use open textbooks?

• Improves accessibility
• Reduces costs to students
• More adaptable and flexible than traditional textbooks
• No more excuses for not reading the book!
  • At McGill, 72% of respondents admitted to NOT purchasing a textbook at some point because of its cost. (Hocevar, 2017)

How can the Library help?

• We can find open textbooks or library-subscribed content applicable to courses

• Answer questions related to copyright and licensing

See also:

Bowness, S. (April 4, 2017). The open educational resources movement is redefining the concept of open textbooks. University Affairs. 

Hocevar, C. (April 28, 2017). Challenges and opportunities: Open educational resources (OERs) at McGill University.