GMU Libraries Textbooks & E-First Statement

During COVID-19, library staff are working diligently to provide alternative access to print course reserve materials collection at GMU Libraries.
 
A significant portion of the books on course reserve are print copies of required course materials (e.g. textbooks, DVDs, etc.). Current research suggests that it takes three days or more for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to attenuate to undetectable levels on commonly circulated library materials, therefore libraries are quarantining books upon return. This creates practical obstacles to an effective textbook reserve program, as these items would normally circulate several times per week, if not per day. Because of this, physical reserves will not be circulating to patrons from the circulation desks due to safety concerns. In response to this, GMU library staff are developing new approaches to support both faculty and students regarding how we acquire course materials and ensure students have access.
 
However, this work is often hindered by textbook publishers that do not provide electronic purchasing options for libraries. We thank our colleagues at the University of Guelph Libraries for bringing these obstacles to the forefront and creating this important conversation about textbook accessibility during a pandemic. A large portion of textbooks are simply unavailable to libraries electronically because publishers build their profit models around directly selling to only students. As a result, the following publishers will not allow GMU Libraries to purchase an e-textbook format of their publications:
  • Pearson
  • Cengage
  • Houghton
  • McGraw Hill
  • Oxford University Press Canada (Textbook Division)
  • Elsevier imprints (especially in veterinary and health science) such as:
    • Elsevier Health Science
    • Mosby
    • Saunders
  • Thieme

This means that in courses that utilize textbooks by these publishers, students will not have any alternative access to the textbook content unless they purchase it.

Despite this, GMU library staff are dedicated towards making course materials as accessible to students and working with instructors to explore and identify alternatives for course materials, including:

  1. Using an existing e-book in the relevant subject area from the library’s e-book collection or requesting that the library purchase one. There are many academic e-books that aren’t considered textbooks, and are therefore available for the library to purchase. To explore these options, we suggest consulting with our subject librarians.
  2. Adopting an open educational resource (OER). OERs are freely available educational materials that are openly licensed to allow for re-use and modification by instructors.
  3. Creating e-reserve requests through the Mason Reserves Team by:
    • Posting individual book chapters or excerpts and scanned copies of the content, subject to copyright limitations. Copyright permission will be sought where feasible in cases where the excerpt falls outside of fair dealing guidelines.
    • Linking to content from the library’s existing collection of electronic resources (e-books, journal articles, streaming media, and other digital materials) or acquiring new content whenever possible.
  4. Student’s requesting Intercampus article requests through Interlibrary Loan by:
    • Posting individual book chapters or excerpts and scanned copies of the content, subject to copyright limitations to their ILLiad account. Copyright permission will be sought where feasible in cases where the excerpt falls outside of fair dealing guidelines.

Efforts will be made to secure online materials that are free from digital rights management restrictions (DRM) in order to ensure easy student access. Please note, DRM includes limits on the number of users that can access a resource at any one time, as well as limits on copying, printing and downloading. If you notice the Libraries have an ebook you need, but only with a limited number of users permitted, contact us to see if there is an unlimited access option available for library purchase.

Instructors who request print materials for the fall 2020 semester will be contacted so alternative options can be identified. Any instructors teaching a fall course are also welcome to contact the library at any time for support with sourcing their course materials.

Questions? Find out by contacting us at:

Alternative Materials & Ebooks: Subject Librarians
Course Reserves: ereserve@gmu.edu
Interlibrary Loan: illloan@gmu.edu