Library (Licensed) Educational Resources (LER) are generally not considered to be Open Educational Resources (OER) since they are usually purchased or licensed and are not openly accessible in the public domain. But, LER are openly accessible via user authentication to the community of card holders for that particular library. By using these LER, such as ebooks, online journal articles, and streaming media, you can lower textbook costs for students. These are high-quality, often peer reviewed resources that students can access at no additional cost.

LER can support affordability efforts on campus when used to replace an expensive traditional textbook.

Before using LER resources for your class, you must check for copyright and/or licensing restrictions, and be aware that not all LER (especially ebooks) allow for multiple, simultaneous users. Reach out to your LCCC Librarians for help or questions related to this and adding LER content to your courses. 

Library-Purchased and Library-Housed Materials

In addition to textbooks at the bookstore, it is important to look at the enormous existing body of work that lies within the library.  These resources are free for faculty and student use and will help drive down the cost of materials for the students.  We can utilize the library and its resources in a few ways:

1. Databases for Articles, Books/Book Chapters and Reports

Our databases contain millions of articles, books and book chapters, technical reports, videos and images.

Consider compiling your own coursepack or textbook utilizing these resources. A librarian can help you with curating these materials and navigating the web of copyright surrounding these items. Everything can be used, but some may not be open access.

2. Multimedia and Streaming Content

3. Library-Assisted Curation

• Cherry pick from different resources
  • Many faculty already do this. They have a standard text but supplement with time or topic appropriate journal articles for further reading or a video to watch for homework. Consider doing this more with fully open resources and library curated materials.
• LibGuides/Course Guides
  • Librarians can create a supplemental course guide for your class with library resources to support your syllabus. This is a great first step to moving to OER for your courses.