If you expand, they will come: Textbook affordability through expansion of course reserves: The case of UCLA library's course reserves via strategic partnership with the campus independent bookstore

Abstract

With the rising costs of textbooks, their affordability and accessibility in college and university campuses has emerged as a major financial obstacle for students. This challenge presents an opportunity for academic and research libraries in providing access to textbooks quickly without further straining student financial resources. Textbooks and purchases for course reserves have traditionally been excluded from the majority of academic and research libraries' collection-development policies. Encouraging libraries to re-evaluate and re-strategize this traditional approach to textbook purchasing and course reserves is critical. Embracing more textbooks and expanding the course reserves has the potential to significantly improve user services in learning and teaching across campuses. Ultimately, this evolving role for academic libraries provides another opportunity to demonstrate their value to campus administration and communities.