Library Support for Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Courses

PCC Library supports free and equitable access to information. To reduce financial barriers imposed by costly textbooks and course materials, PCC Librarians assist fellow faculty in creating and maintaining Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses. 

In collaboration with instructors, Librarians can typically support ZTC by locating and licensing unlimited-user ebooks which allow all students in a course to have simultaneous and uninterrupted access to their required text(s) throughout the semester or intersession. For a course to qualify as ZTC, each student must have free access to a copy (print book or ebook) of each required text at the same time.

Unfortunately, unlimited-user ebook licenses are not available for all books. For instance, textbooks from major publishers are rarely available via this type of license, though it’s always worthwhile to ask a Librarian to check. If an instructor’s initial book request is unavailable as an unlimited-user ebook, Librarians may be able to find an alternative title that meets the same curricular needs.

In addition, Librarians can collaborate with faculty to find relevant articles and streaming videos in our subscription databases that are freely available to PCC students and qualify as ZTC resources.

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Distinguishing Between Open Educational Resources and Library-Licensed Materials

Using either Open Educational Resources (OER) or Library-licensed materials can qualify courses as Zero Textbook Cost and help students save money. However, there are important differences between these two categories of resources:

• Open Educational Resources (OER) are freely and publicly available resources that can be used, shared, and adapted by anyone. OER are often covered by Creative Commons licenses that grant broad permissions beyond typical copyright.  
• In contrast with OER, PCC Library-licensed ebooks, videos, and articles are paid resources that are typically protected by copyright. They are available free of charge to PCC faculty, staff and students because the Library covers their cost.  

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Contacts

If you’re interested in using Library-licensed ebooks, videos, and articles to create ZTC courses, please contact PCC Librarians by emailing librarian@pasadena.edu. A Librarian can work with you to identify Library materials that may be appropriate for your classes, determine whether particular titles are available as unlimited-user ebooks, suggest alternatives, and/or facilitate access to resources within our subscription databases.

If you’re interested in locating, adapting, creating, or using Open Educational Resources (OER), please contact PCC OER Coordinator Denise M. Johnson, PhD at djohnson163@pasadena.edu.