Open Educational Resources & Affordable Course Materials: Home

This guide is designed to help instructors find and use affordable course materials and open educational resources (OER) that make learning more accessible and support student success.

For more information on finding affordable course materials and OERs, please contact  the Open  and Affordable Course Materials Librarian, Angela Chikowero at achikowero@ucsb.edu

Open & Affordable Course Materials Initiatives at UCSB Library 

The rising cost of textbooks continues to shape student success and retention, particularly for historically marginalized and financially vulnerable populations. At UCSB, the estimated cost for books and supplies in 2025-2026 is $1,485 in addition to tuition, health insurance, housing, personal expenses, and campus fees (UCSB Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships). These cumulative expenses make it challenging for many students to access the learning materials essential for their academic progress.

The UCSB Library is committed to advancing open and affordable course material initiatives that make learning more accessible and equitable for all students.

Open Educational Resources (OERs) are course materials that are free of cost and access barriers and are legally licensed for open use. These permissions, typically granted through open licences like Creative Commons, grant the right to retain, reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute materials.

Affordable Course Materials offer a sustainable alternative to high-cost resources. These materials are free or low-cost and may include open or library-licensed textbooks, digital courseware, course modules, videos, journal articles, ebooks, and other instructional formats. Integrating affordable course materials into courses can help reduce financial barriers and support student equity, engagement, and overall academic success.