Announcement from the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois:

CARLI has joined the Open Textbook Network (OTN), a consortium of colleges and universities working to advance open textbook initiatives. OTN supports the Open Textbook Library, a searchable online catalog of complete textbooks available for faculty and students to freely use, adapt and distribute to best meet the needs of their courses. Open textbooks can be downloaded at no cost or printed inexpensively. CARLI is thrilled to be a part of this community of schools, universities, and institutions making a difference in higher education by addressing the growing concerns about educational affordability.

Seventeen CARLI Governing member institutions plus two Illinois consortia supported CARLI’s membership in the OTN. Through this collaboratively funded system membership, all 128 CARLI Governing member libraries will realize the benefits of OTN membership. A special thanks to these contributors: Aurora University, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago State University, CODSULI (Council of Directors of State University Libraries in Illinois), College of Lake County, DePaul University, Illinois State University, Illinois Wesleyan University, The John Marshall Law School, Knox College, LIBRAS, Lincoln Land Community College, National Louis University, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Oakton Community College, Richland Community College, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Waubonsee Community College.

Workshops will be held at CARLI member libraries in 2018. Attendees will gain expertise in helping faculty understand the negative impact high textbook costs can have on students’ academic performance.