Open Textbooks
Illinois State University is a member of the Open Education Network, an organization that "promotes access, affordability, and student success through the use of open textbooks." The Open Education Network manages the Open Textbook Library, a repository of free textbooks.
Open Textbook Sources
- Open Textbook LibraryOver 780 freely available digital textbooks in 14 broad subject areas. Over half of the books in the collection have been reviewed by higher education faculty, many are Creative Commons licensed. Part of the Open Education Network at the University of Minnesota.
- OpenStax"We publish high-quality, peer-reviewed, openly licensed college textbooks that are absolutely free online and low cost in print." Affiliated with Rice University.
- Milne Open TextbooksAuthors and reviewers of these open textbooks are affiliated with the SUNY system.
- BC Campus Open EducationBC Campus is a Canadian government organization that supports higher education initiatives. They provide access to an aggregated textbook collection and they publish guides and toolkits for people interested in open education.
Authoring Open Textbooks
- Authoring Open TextbooksThis guide is for faculty authors, librarians, project managers and others who are involved in the production of open textbooks in higher education and K-12. Content includes a checklist for getting started, publishing program case studies, textbook organization and elements, writing resources and an overview of useful tools.
Open Textbook FAQ*
What is an open textbook?
A text that is free to use and openly licensed so other people can use and modify it. Usually digital but can be print.
What does "openly licensed" mean?
Many open textbooks are licensed through Creative Commons. Read more about the licenses.
Do I need permission to use one?
Whatever license the book has should tell you how you can use it, so you don't need to seek permission. If you aren't sure how to interpret a license, contact us at Milner Library!
Are these quality textbooks?
Faculty are the ultimate judge of whether or not a resource is of high enough quality and relevance to use in their course. Many open textbooks have gone through peer review during production. Many have also been reviewed after publication.
Are ancillary resources available, like slides and solution manuals?
Sometimes. Just like with commercial textbooks, it depends on the publisher. There may be a fee to access the supplemental materials.
Do I have to read the textbook online?
Not necessarily. Many open textbooks can be downloaded as PDFs and printed.
Can I modify an open textbook by adding content or only using pieces of it?
Yes, if the book has a Creative Commons license that allows for the creation of derivatives.
How do I edit an open textbook?
Start with this resource, contact the scholarly communication librarian with further questions.
*Adapted from the Open Textbook Library FAQ
Examples at ISU
Open Textbooks are already in use at ISU! Below are a few courses that use them:
CHE 141, General Chemistry II, uses OpenStax Chemistry, 2e:
BSC 101, Fundamental Concepts in Biology, also uses an OpenStax textbook, Concepts of Biology:
Paying for an Open Texbook?
There are a few platforms that advertise low cost textbooks for students. Often, these platforms take open textbooks and add supplementary materials to them, like homework questions, PowerPoint presentations, or study guides. These additions are not free and require the student to pay about $35 for a copy of the book and ancillary materials.
For example, you can find The Basics of General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry for $34.95-- but this resource is also available for free in the Open Textbook Library.
Before instructing your students to purchase the paid resource, ask yourself if you will be using the supplements to a degree that warrants the cost. If not, go open!