Library textbook lending program makes student success more affordable, accessible
Nursing student Sarah Holub was $2,000 short this academic year. A new library program that makes textbooks available on two-hour reserve is helping to ease the financial strain. Photo credit: Lee Chapman.
When Sarah Holub did the math on her upcoming academic year, her heart sank.
“I was $2,000 short,” said the 27-year-old Ryerson University nursing student. “Where does that money come from?”
For Holub, the cost of education is particularly profound – this is her second undergraduate degree.
But thanks to a new Ryerson Library initiative aimed at increasing equitable access to education, Holub and students like her are finding some relief.
Launched in September of this year, a new textbook program ensures almost all required textbooks for all undergraduate and graduate courses are available at the Circulation Desk – at no cost to students.
The pilot project was created to help address the rising costs of textbooks and provide greater access to essential learning materials for students.
While other types of course material, such as electronic course readings (e-reserves) have long been available on reserve, a comprehensive textbook collection is a new addition.
"The Library's new textbook lending program is one example of how we are seeking and implementing meaningful ways to improve access to higher education," said Michael Benarroch, provost and vice-president, academic, Ryerson University.
"The success of our students is our number-one priority, so I am delighted that we are putting new measures in place that will better support their academic development," he continued.
Textbook project part of larger, overall effort
Carol Shepstone, chief librarian at Ryerson, says that along with e-reserves, the textbook project complements the Library's work in Open Education Resources (OER)–to provide high-quality, openly accessible, academic resources for learning and teaching.
Over the past few years, the Library has worked with faculty members and the E-learning Office to fund the development of a number of OER texts.
This year, in addition to $33,000 of Library grants for OER creation, the Ryerson Student Union (RSU) contributed $20,000 to help this important initiative. Shepstone says the Library is thrilled to have this support for students.
“It’s about ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need, the critical information pieces they need to be academically successful and learn,” she said, noting that students in some programs, such as nursing, stats and economics, have a particularly hefty list of required reading materials.
“Are you making a choice between paying your lighting bill or eating or paying your rent – or purchasing textbooks? We wanted to make sure every student had access to what they needed regardless of their circumstances.” -Carol Shepstone, Chief Librarian, Ryerson University Library
OSAP, part-time job not enough
For Holub, the program makes a world of difference.
In 2015, the native of Canmore, Alta., completed a degree in psychology and anthropology at another university in Toronto.
The call to nursing came shortly after – but the expense of another degree, while still paying off the first one, combined with the cost of living in downtown Toronto, has been overwhelming.
She receives OSAP support and works part-time as a program assistant, but says, “It’s not enough”.
“I can’t eat out, I can’t buy textbooks, I avoid spending money. I haven’t bought new clothes in so long,” said the third-year student, noting she only buys clothing from Value Village, “which is sustainable, and that’s great, but, money feels very tight right now.”
Textbooks cost hundreds per semester
The costs add up. Ryerson University Annual Student expenses estimates the average cost of books and supplies is $700-$1,500 per year.* A recent informal Library survey found students paid approximately $248 per term in 2019, and $333 per term in 2018. However, course expenses varied considerably from program to program.
With so many costs, it’s rare for Holub to catch a break. So, when she discovered the library’s textbook program, she was elated.
“We knew this would make a difference. The student response is amazing,” Shepstone said.
So far, in just a short time with little promotion, the numbers support that claim. During the month of September, students borrowed from the collection over 2,000 times.
“The two-hour loan periods help keep the collection moving,” said Kelly Kimberley, Head of Library Borrowing and Lending Services.
Shepstone cautions that while every effort is made to supply every required textbook, the Library can only provide required textbooks on reserve if professors have purchased them through the university bookstore.
Convenience, sustainability are added benefits
For the Library, the project has been no easy feat. The cost to implement the program this year is estimated at between $75,000 and $100,000.
The benefits go beyond cost savings for students. For instance, Shepstone says having textbooks on reserve is also helpful from a convenience perspective.
“Maybe it’s a situation where the student thinks, ‘Oh my gosh, that reading is due today?’ And they didn’t bring their textbook with them. Now, we have it here,” she said, adding that the new program can also save students the physical labour of lugging heavy materials back and forth.
Holub also says the program can be useful for students at the beginning of a semester, too, when they’re still evaluating which textbooks they will buy new. They can use the textbooks on reserve in the meantime, without falling behind, she said.
And, if the program leads some students to purchase fewer books, it’s a more sustainable option, Holub says, noting that she still has five or six books from last year that she wasn’t able to resell.
How to access textbooks on reserve
To take advantage of accessing required textbooks in the library, students should visit the circulation desk with their course code and the title of the textbook.
The library only buys current and new editions (not including workbooks or similar “consumable” items) and funding is limited. Priority is also placed on high enrollment courses.
One copy of each book is purchased, and students can take the books out on-reserve for two hours at a time. Multiple copies are purchased for large classes or upon request. The library will consider requests for textbooks that fall outside of these parameters.
For students like Holub, it’s a game-changer.
“This is the first year where all of my text books are on loan,” she said. “I was so amazed they had what I needed.”
For Shepstone and the Library team, it’s about providing what is fundamentally right.
“Everyone should have equity of access, and it should be easy,” she said. “This program gives that equity a chance.”