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 course-adopted texts (CATs). These are required scholarly monographs and non-scholarly books.
(*CATs are books required for courses that are not typical textbooks, such as those 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 several other factors to consider regarding access limits, accessibility, and the long-term use of the book in the course.
Please review the criteria and commitment requirements carefully 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 required course text through the library, the statement below can help your students use the material.
Please contact your subject librarian or the ACMI Coordinator to ensure you include the correct link in your Moodle course.
The following is an example statement:
The digital version of the course required texts is available for free through OU Libraries. Accessing the materials requires that you authenticate (log in) with your NetID. You are permitted to read the book 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, please 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
MATERIALS
FACULTY
LIBRARY
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 11/12/25