BENEFIT STUDENTS AND PLANET

system, LibGuides for all classes. It’s an estimated cost savings of $700 per student for the program’s nine core courses.

Falvo said she worked extensively with OER Taskforce co-chair Tonya Otto, virtual learning and outreach librarian for the university, and Dr. Terry Latour, dean of libraries, to identify resources. In addition to free access to the materials, Falvo said there’s even greater value.

“When I was using textbooks, I might use one for up to six years, depending on when they put out a new edition,” she said. “Now, students are getting the most up-to-date resources. In nursing, that’s so important.”

Falvo invested time in determining the collection of resources that would best serve students. She might use two chapters from one resource, five chapters from another, plus articles, podcasts and videos, all located in one spot.

In addition to the university’s LibGuides, faculty members can generate their own materials and find ways to make them accessible.

“The faculty of the Clarion University Libraries assist teaching faculty with the identification of information resources that support their instructional goals,” Latour said.

Creating OERs does require additional work on the part of faculty and administration, but it’s work that is needed. Lyle said students everywhere are impacted by the high cost of textbooks, but public universities like Clarion have students with a wider range of economic backgrounds.

“The reality is that we have students who are forced to decide between things like books and food,” Lyle said.

Gent said Clarion University is committed to helping students succeed, and this is just one of the many things they do to help students transform their lives.