Textbooks in academic libraries: Selection, circulation, and assessment

摘要

Perhaps, there is no another issue that divides the opinions of access services librarians more than the availability of required course textbooks in academic libraries. It is no secret that the cost of these materials skyrockets unabated. In fact, between 2002 and 2012 the cost of textbooks increased by 82%, while college tuition and fees continued to increase during the same period (p. ⅶ). The research also demonstrates that students in community colleges, nonselective universities, or from low-income households are most vulnerable to these pressures. These students are more likely to fail or drop out since they lack access to required course materials. On one side of the debate, access services librarians argue that placing course materials on reserve enables access, ensures student success, and results in happy students who complete their coursework and then ultimately graduate. On the other side are access services librarians who argue that the purchase of textbooks and course materials waste already limited library resources on materials that become obsolete quickly and that students should be responsible for acquiring. These librarians would also argue that by enabling faculty to place textbooks on reserve, it discourages them from seeking cheaper textbook options or exploring open educational resources. Perhaps the debate regarding textbooks is so fierce because both camps have valid points.