Class Set Course Reserves: Providing Textbook Access through Library-Faculty Collaboration (Lightning Talk)
Location
Online
Start Date
14-10-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
14-10-2026 12:15 PM
Description
Abstract:
At Central Oregon Community College, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) department purchases class sets of textbooks for the library’s course reserves, allowing all students to check out the ECE textbooks they need for the duration of the term. The program allows students to easily access books they need for free, and it wouldn’t be possible without close collaboration between the library and faculty. This talk will briefly cover the origins of this program, challenges we’ve faced, lessons learned, and how faculty and library staff work together to ensure it runs smoothly.
The collection is funded through grants obtained by the ECE department, who purchase books through the campus bookstore for the library to add to course reserves. After books are purchased, ongoing maintenance is needed for the program to function. To ensure that there are enough books for all students, library staff compare the quantity of textbooks on reserve for each course to the student registration numbers each term and work together with faculty to facilitate the purchase of more books if needed. When classes are taught at COCC’s branch campuses, library staff send books to the campus ahead of time for students to check out. Recently, the Behavioral Health department has begun purchasing class sets for select courses as well, further expanding textbook access for COCC students.
We hope that this session could inspire other institutions to consider this approach for programs where it could be most beneficial to students. We encourage faculty and library staff to think creatively about their use of course reserves, and embrace opportunities for collaboration and sharing of resources.
Outcomes:
- Attendees will identify the benefits and challenges of loaning textbooks to an entire class through library course reserves.
- Attendees will have an example of a new textbook access model to consider applying at their own institutions.
Bio:
- Ruby O’Connor is the Collection Development and Acquisitions Faculty Librarian at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon. She was previously the library’s Public Services Specialist, where she worked with affordable course materials via course reserves.
Class Set Course Reserves: Providing Textbook Access through Library-Faculty Collaboration (Lightning Talk)
Online
Abstract:
At Central Oregon Community College, the Early Childhood Education (ECE) department purchases class sets of textbooks for the library’s course reserves, allowing all students to check out the ECE textbooks they need for the duration of the term. The program allows students to easily access books they need for free, and it wouldn’t be possible without close collaboration between the library and faculty. This talk will briefly cover the origins of this program, challenges we’ve faced, lessons learned, and how faculty and library staff work together to ensure it runs smoothly.
The collection is funded through grants obtained by the ECE department, who purchase books through the campus bookstore for the library to add to course reserves. After books are purchased, ongoing maintenance is needed for the program to function. To ensure that there are enough books for all students, library staff compare the quantity of textbooks on reserve for each course to the student registration numbers each term and work together with faculty to facilitate the purchase of more books if needed. When classes are taught at COCC’s branch campuses, library staff send books to the campus ahead of time for students to check out. Recently, the Behavioral Health department has begun purchasing class sets for select courses as well, further expanding textbook access for COCC students.
We hope that this session could inspire other institutions to consider this approach for programs where it could be most beneficial to students. We encourage faculty and library staff to think creatively about their use of course reserves, and embrace opportunities for collaboration and sharing of resources.
Outcomes:
- Attendees will identify the benefits and challenges of loaning textbooks to an entire class through library course reserves.
- Attendees will have an example of a new textbook access model to consider applying at their own institutions.
Bio:
- Ruby O’Connor is the Collection Development and Acquisitions Faculty Librarian at Central Oregon Community College in Bend, Oregon. She was previously the library’s Public Services Specialist, where she worked with affordable course materials via course reserves.