Affordable Course Materials Initiative (ACMI)

Kresge Library's Textbook Course Reserves Program hopes to alleviate some of the burden of the high cost of textbooks. This collection of hardcopy textbooks is available for students to use in the library. When we have more than one copy of a textbook, the additional copies can be checked out on a short-term loan basis.

Students can recommend textbooks for the library to purchase by filling out the textbook suggestion form. Depending on various criteria, such as the number enrolled in the course and the cost of the books, we will do our best to acquire them

Ask the library Service Desk for assistance. 

The ACMI offers an ebook-purchasing program for courses that require non-traditional textbooks. 

(*Non-traditional textbooks are books required for courses that are not sold as part of bundled packages from large corporate publishers.)

*Please note: The purchase of ebooks by libraries is not a straightforward process as many publishers restrict libraries from purchasing their titles. There are also many other factors to consider about access limits, accessibility, and long-term use of the book for the course.

Please first review carefully the criteria and commitment requirements before submitting an application to have your course and book considered for purchase through this program.

If you have any questions, please contact Julia Rodriguez, ACMI Team Lead. 

Syllabus statement for faculty using Ebooks from the library

If you are using a digital version of your textbook through the library, the statement below can help your students use the material.
Please contact your subject librarian or the ACMI team to ensure you include the correct link in your Moodle course.

The following is an example library eTextbook statement:

The digital version of the course textbook is available for free through OU Libraries. Accessing the textbook requires that you authenticate (log in) with your NetID. You are permitted to read the textbook online and/or download content to read offline. If PDF downloads are available for your book, it is recommended that you download a copy to ensure uninterrupted access to the content. 

Some books limit the number of users who can access the title at the same time. If you are unable to access the title, check back later. 

Faculty can submit an application to have their courses considered for participation in the program. The program prioritizes purchasing titles as ebooks. Hardcopy textbooks are managed through the textbook reserve program. 

The following criteria and factors will be considered (not all factors must be met, items chosen for purchase are made on a case-by-case basis). When quality OER or open textbooks are available these may be suggested in lieu of purchase. 

REVIEW the current criteria prior to submitting the application form. 

COURSE FACTORS

• Course is taught regularly - at least once a year
• Course enrollment is above 20 
• Books will be used continuously and will not be changed for at least 3 years
• Books will(may) be used by more than one faculty member
• Books will(may) be used in more than one section

MATERIALS

• A different textbook has NOT been purchased by the library for the same course
• Book vendor platform is ADA and WCAG compliant
• Book is accessible through established authentication protocols
• Book is not sold as a package, does not require online homework or other materials

FACULTY

• Faculty will link the book from the library record in the syllabus and communicate with students about their access options
• Faculty will submit information to OU Bookstore to accurately communicate access options for students
• Faculty will mark their course as no-cost in Banner
• Faculty will communicate with the library about any access issues
• Faculty will communicate with the library when the book is no longer being used

LIBRARY

• Strive to purchase DRM-free, multi-user license books
• Consider limited-use license for lower enrollment courses 
• Maintain a list of ebooks purchased as part of the program

Titles that don’t qualify for this program may be considered for purchase as part of the hardcopy reserve program which prioritizes multi-section, high enrollment (50+), general education courses with high textbook costs and titles unavailable to libraries for purchase as ebooks.

Version 01/23/23