| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 66.09 |
| Liaison | Elizabeth Drake |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2023 |
Swarthmore College
IN-41: Textbook Affordability
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.25 / 0.50 |
Jorge
Lopez-Nava Student Sustainability |
Does the institution host a peer-to-peer textbook exchange program, textbook lending library, or alternate textbook project?:
A brief description of the textbook exchange program, textbook lending library, or alternate textbook project:
Prior to the start of the Textbook Affordability Program (TAP), a peer-to-peer textbook lending library was found in Underhill Library where students are able to borrow book donated by previous students. In fall 2018, a pilot program was started (Textbook400) and results showed that "students felt they were more academically successful because they were able to obtain the books they needed for class." In February 2020, a textbook credit for all enrolled students at the College, covered under their billed tuition, was approved by the Board of Managers. TAP then took effect in August 2020.
Additionally, faculty are encouraged to use textbooks that are within the course reserves. The course reserves allows for students to check-out required course material from the libraries for up to 2 hours at a time. This allowed students the ability to access the material for free, regardless of remaining TAP funds.
Does the institution provide incentives for academic staff that explicitly encourage the authorship, peer review, and/or adoption of open access textbooks?:
A brief description of the incentives to encourage the authorship, peer review, and/or adoption of open access textbooks:
Website URL where information about the textbook affordability incentives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Information about the Textbook Affordability Program can be found here, https://store.swarthmore.edu/SiteText?id=87397. Information about the Course Reserves can be found here, https://www.swarthmore.edu/libraries/course-reserves-textbooks.
Information about the Textbook Affordability Program can be found here, https://store.swarthmore.edu/SiteText?id=87397. Information about the Course Reserves can be found here, https://www.swarthmore.edu/libraries/course-reserves-textbooks.
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