| This page is part of the Libraries' Open Education Portal. |
Which model works best for your class?
Review the options below. Choose one, or mix and match. Note: There are additional alternatives (such as Course Reserves) below the table.
Physical Textbooks
Students buy new or used copies from a variety of sources.
VolShop's interface allows students to compare costs of textbooks from various vendors and purchase the title at the lowest price.
Build from Library Subscriptions
Students login to the Libraries' subscription collections for selected articles, books, videos, etc.
The Libraries' collections and subscriptions include thousands of e-books and streaming videos in addition to online scholarly journals.
Inclusive Access Program
Students are opted-in to purchase a short-term rental of an e-copy.
Textbook charges are added directly to a student's bursar bill, unless a student opts-out. Scholarships and student loans can cover these textbooks costs. Supplemental materials incur additional charges. Students lose access after the semester ends.
Open Textbooks
Books are free to everyone, everywhere, thanks to grant funds or subsidies. No login required.
Many open textbooks are grant funded, or subsidized by institutions giving small stipends to authors. Subject coverage is wide-ranging, but options may be limited in some disciplines.
Comparison Chart
Physical Textbooks
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Build from Library Subscriptions
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Inclusive Access
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Open Textbooks
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Available to Students |
Upon purchase | As long as they are a student/staff at UT with NetID | First day of class (unless student opts-out) through Last day of class | Any time |
Cost |
Varies; Students may be able to find used copies for less |
Free* *Students pay tuition and library fees, which contribute to the Libraries' collection budget. Students have access to library subscription resources for as long as they are UT students or staff with a NetID. |
Significantly less than new copies (up to 65% savings); Students are automatically opted-in and billed on their bursar's bill | Free. Print copies may be purchased for a small fee. |
Student Ownership |
Purchase; Retain or resell | Access with NetID; Can usually download a copy for personal use | Rental of digital copy limited to a semester | Can download, retain, share, etc. at any time |
Faculty Time in Preparation |
Varies | Significant (must choose readings) | Varies | Varies |
Tailoring Content |
Instructors can supplement; Tailoring text not permitted | Instructors can supplement; Tailoring texts not permitted | Instructors can supplement; Tailoring texts not permitted | Licensed to allow tailoring of text |
Supplemental Materials |
May be available | Find or build | May be available | May be available |
Best Practice |
Place book orders early (at least by the preferred deadlines) so the VolShop can buy back books from students. Early orders also give students more opportunities to comparison shop. | Link to articles or e-books in Canvas (don't share the full PDF) so the Libraries can gather usage statistics. | Use this online form to tell the Libraries that you're adopting an open textbook. The Libraries will notify the VolShop, Provost's Office and SGA, and will use the reported data to estimate overall student savings. | |
More Information |
VolShop | OneSearch for print and e-collections; list of all E-Book subscription collections; Libraries Streaming Video Guide | VolShop Inclusive Access |
Libraries Open Textbook Guide; List of open textbooks at University of Minnesota's Open Textbook Library; List of faculty open textbook adopters at UT Also try your professional society (such as the American Institute of Mathematics' Open Textbook Initiative) or Project Gutenberg and HathiTrust for texts in the Public Domain |
Other Alternatives
Don't forget about the Libraries' Course Reserves. Place a copy of a textbook on course reserve for short-term student access. Loan periods range from 2 hours to 3 days.
The Frieson Black Cultural Center's Book Loan Program gives students semester-long access to extra copies of textbooks on a first-come, first-served basis.
More Information
For information about the VolShop's programs, contact the VolShop.
For library information in your discipline, contact your liaison librarian.
For help with open textbooks, contact members of the Open Textbook Working Group:
- Teresa Berry, University Libraries
- Rachel Caldwell, University Libraries (chair) - Contact Information
- Stan Guffey, Teaching and Learning Innovation
- Miriam Larson, Office of Information Technology, Instructional Support
- Molly Royse, University Libraries
- Anna Sandelli, University Libraries
- Allison Shepard, University Libraries