2024 Open Education Conference

Enacting change within a higher education setting frequently poses significant challenges. Balancing the imperative of inclusive participation with the nuanced requirements of individual departments often presents obstacles for transformative initiatives such as OER. In this presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to hear insights from an OER librarian and a bookstore manager who spearheaded change at a 2-year technical college. Originating from a shared aspiration to mitigate the financial burden of textbooks and course materials, this initiative evolved into a collaborative endeavor. A pivotal component was the establishment of a Textbook Affordability Committee, which systematically evaluated conventional service provisions and remains engaged in ongoing enhancements reflective of evolving faculty and student needs. Attendees will learn actionable strategies and advocacy tools to champion their own OER and bookstore collaborations within their respective institutions.

Attendees of this session will be able to:

• Understand the challenges of implementing collaborative OER initiatives in higher education, including navigating departmental interests and fostering inclusivity.
• Gain insights into practical strategies for transforming textbook provisioning systems into collaborative OER and bookstore partnerships.
• Develop actionable plans and advocacy skills to initiate similar partnerships within their own institutions.