Rising costs of textbooks and learning materials, estimated at $1,600 for academic year for an undergraduate at Chapman University, can be a significant financial barrier that affects both academic success and equitable access to education. Open Educational Resources (OER) offer a sustainable solution by making educational materials freely available, ensuring that all students have immediate and equitable access to required textbooks from the first day of class.

The Leatherby Libraries continues to champion access and affordability in education by supporting faculty in adopting OER. OER materials are free, openly licensed textbooks, media, and other educational content that help reduce the cost of learning while empowering faculty to adapt and customize materials to meet specific course goals, student needs, and evolving disciplinary developments.

This spring, the OER LibGuide has been refreshed with new content. Whether you are a faculty member seeking alternatives to traditional course materials or a student interested in exploring freely accessible resources, the LibGuide is a great starting point for discovering what’s possible with OER. The LibGuide also includes a new section for students who want to advocate with faculty to adopt OER in their courses.

To help our Chapman community learn more, the Leatherby Libraries will host an OER workshop for faculty, students, and staff.

Friday, May 1, 2026 — 2:00 – 3:00 PM

Hybrid (Online/Library Instruction Room LL305)

RSVP Here

Join us to explore strategies for finding, evaluating, and integrating open materials into courses and research. Be part of the OER effort to transform how Chapman students can access, engage with, and shape their learning.