TAMIU’s Killam Library Takes the Lead on OER for Campus

Texas A&M International University’s (TAMIU) Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library is taking on a new role -- as a champion of  Open Educational Resources (OER) -- with an aim to further reduce cost barriers for students.

Killam Library director Ben Rawlins said the initiative links to the Library’s mission and role.

“Libraries have always been focused on providing access to our communities, so focusing on and developing an OER initiative is a natural fit for the Killam Library. This fits within our values of creativity and innovation where we foster an environment that encourages intellectual curiosity, creative experimentation, and the expansion of knowledge. We believe that OER can help reduce a cost barrier for students and can lead to increases in student success and retention,” Rawlins explained.

He said that since its origins in the 2000s, OER has continued to grow as  a means to provide affordable and equitable education for all students regardless of socioeconomic status.

“The first use of the term 'open educational resources' was at UNESCO’s 2002 Forum focused on the Impact of Open Courseware for Higher Ed in Developing Countries. MIT is often credited with starting the OER movement with its 2001 launch at MIT. This movement continues to grow and OER is a focal point within the State of Texas and the Texas A&M University System. There is an A&M System OER Task Force, which Killam Library is involved with, that is focusing on the further implementation of OER, course markings for OER, and other related initiatives to reduce course materials’ costs,” Rawlins noted.

The integration of OER into the Killam Library has been methodical and far-reaching, he said.

“Faculty have been using OER from OpenStax at TAMIU for at least the past three years. Some of what we have focused on over the last year is gathering data about OER adoptions; meeting with faculty, both individually and departmentally, to discuss the benefits of OER; looking for, applying to, and collaborating with grant opportunities to provide funding for the adoption, adaptation, and creation of new and existing OER, and developing an OER website. We realize there is a gap in awareness and we’re committed to addressing that,” he said.

In addition to an accessible and  dedicated OER website to highlight OER activities on campus and how faculty can collaborate with the Library and integrate OER into their courses, the Library has developed additional tools, said Elizabeth DeZouche, information literacy librarian who has helped lead the initiative.

“We’ve partnered with our Student Government Association (SGA) to create an informative video and will be hosting a series of OER workshops in the next academic year to explain what OER is and how faculty can implement them in their courses. An upcoming addition to our OER toolbox is Pressbooks, an OER publishing platform that helps us create, host, and adapt OER for use here and at other institutions globally. We’re also eager to collaborate and share information with others about OER,” DeZouche said.

DeZouche said Library users shouldn’t be intimidated by OER.

“There is a low barrier to OER and it doesn’t differ too much from traditional textbooks. The main difference is that the material is openly licensed, which means it can be adapted to meet our local needs. Students can search for their current course on our webpage, or talk to their professor. Faculty can also use our webpage to find OER to adopt, search courses that have used OER, find current OER adopted at TAMIU, and request assistance with OER,” she added.

Rawlins said the Library has a short and long-term vision for OER.

“The short-term vision for OER is to continue to raise awareness among faculty, staff, and administration about the benefits of OER, as well as more adoptions into courses. The long-term vision is to move beyond just adoptions into adaptation and creation of existing and new OER that can be utilized at TAMIU and beyond,” he concluded.

For additional information on OER at the Killam Library visit its dedicated webpage, email benjamin.rawlins@tamiu.edu or call 956.326.2393.

TAMIU’s Fall 2021 plans are focused on a return to a full and vibrant on-campus experience for all students, faculty and staff at its 300-acre northeast Laredo campus. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 23, 2021. A pilot program, TAMIU Books IncludED, is providing TAMIU required textbooks and course materials free of charge.

For more information about Registration, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 956.326.2250, email registrar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the University Success Center, suite 121.