First Meeting of the Open Textbook Network Set to Take Place Next Week

From UMass Amherst:

Leaders representing more than 75 colleges and universities across the country will convene on the Twin Cities campus [August 3-5, 2015] to develop strategies for advancing open textbook programs on their campuses. Participants will also gain expertise in helping faculty understand the negative impact high textbook costs can have on students’ academic performance
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Published under a Creative Commons license, open textbooks are available to students for free. Faculty can custom-edit the textbooks to meet their needs, too. According to the College Board, students can spend up to $1,300 annually on books and supplies. By using open textbooks, students could save hundreds of dollars per semester, which add up during their college years.
“UMass Amherst is a leader nationally in the open education movement, and we are proud to continue our pioneering efforts through the Open Textbook Network,” said Jay Schafer, director of UMass Amherst Libraries.
The OTN [Open Textbook Network], created and run by the University of Minnesota, is an alliance of schools committed to improving access, affordability and academic success through the use of open textbooks. Members include University of Arizona, Virginia Tech, Purdue University, University of Michigan, and Ohio State University.
“As many institutions make a commitment to empower and engage their faculty in the potential of open textbooks, they’re also committing their organization’s talent to sustain open textbooks at their campuses or across their systems,” said David Ernst, director of the Center for Open Education at the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development and executive director of the Open Textbook Network. “That’s good for students, and the institutions.”
The Open Textbook Library is the first searchable online catalog of open textbooks, many of which are reviewed by faculty at OTN institutions. Currently, more than 185 titles are available for use.

Read the Complete UMass Amherst Announcement
Direct to Open Textbook Library Catalog ||| Open Textbook Library Usage Metrics ||| Open Textbook Library Info
Direct to Open Textbook Network Info Page (Includes Member List and How to Join)
See Also: Video Report: U of Minnesota Explores Free Textbooks for Students (via KARE TV)

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