High textbook costs leave some students unable to purchase course materials, may negatively impact retention and persistence, and challenge our efforts to make access to an IUP education more equitable and inclusive. When faculty and libraries work together, access to course materials can be less of a challenge for students. 

IUP Libraries has traditionally worked to support faculty in making courses more accessible by adding unlimited simultaneous access to course-related electronic resources, including e-textbooks and similar materials. The PA GOAL Library Licensed Materials grant is an opportunity for library and departmental faculty to work together to replace their current commercial textbooks with materials acquired through the campus library.

The grant reimburses the library for expenditures related to the purchase of electronic access to course textbook materials. Faculty who participate in the grant by suggesting textbook materials and agreeing to provide open access to a class syllabus and reading list will be compensated up to $250 per course. 

If you are interested in participating in this grant, please complete the PA GOAL Faculty Interest Form no later than Monday, February 21, 2022.

Full details of the grant are available at PA GOAL Cycle 3. You can also contact the library faculty participants Chris Clouser (cclouser@iup.edu), Kelly Heider (kheider@iup.edu), and Theresa McDevitt (mcdevitt@iup.edu) for more information about the grant program and process.