Open Textbook Library Reaches 1,000 Titles

Just in time for its 10-year anniversary, the Open Textbook Library's collection of open education resources has surpassed 1,000 titles. Launched in 2012, the Library is an online catalog of openly licensed materials hosted by the Open Education Network (OEN), a membership community based at the University of Minnesota's Center for Open Education.

The Library offers faculty book reviews and downloadable textbooks in multiple formats (including PDF, ODF, XML and Ebook), covering subjects such as business, computer science, education, engineering, humanities, journalism, law, mathematics, medicine, natural and social sciences and student success. The thousandth book in the collection: Botany in Hawaiʻi, by Daniela Dutra Elliott and Paula Mejia Velasquez, added in March. OEN expects to grow the Library "as OER garners increasing acceptance and approval from faculty, and as the broader open education movement continues to gain momentum," according to a news announcement.

"The Library visibly demonstrates our commitment to a more equitable higher education system," commented David Ernst, executive director of the OEN and founder of the Open Textbook Library, in a statement. "At this 10-year milestone mark, we're thrilled with the Library's success and see it as a reflection of the community's generosity with their time, expertise and resources."

"It has been exciting to watch the Open Textbook Library's continuing development," said Merinda McLure, OER co-lead and health & human sciences librarian at the University of Colorado Boulder. "It is difficult to describe adequately the central importance of the Library to supporting educators' adoption, adaptation, and creation of open textbooks across higher education institutions."

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • person signing a bill at a desk with a faint glow around the document. A tablet and laptop are subtly visible in the background, with soft colors and minimal digital elements

    California Governor Signs AI Content Safeguards into Law

    California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially signed off on a series of landmark artificial intelligence bills, signaling the state’s latest efforts to regulate the burgeoning technology, particularly in response to the misuse of sexually explicit deepfakes. The legislation is aimed at mitigating the risks posed by AI-generated content, as concerns grow over the technology's potential to manipulate images, videos, and voices in ways that could cause significant harm.

  • abstract image of fragmented, floating geometric shapes with holographic lock icons and encrypted code, set against a dark, glitchy background with intersecting circuits and swirling light trails

    Education Sector a Top Target for Mobile Malware Attacks

    Mobile and IoT/OT cyber threats continue to grow in number and complexity, becoming more targeted and sophisticated, according to a new report from Zscaler.

  • An abstract depiction of a virtual reality science class featuring two silhouetted figures wearing VR headsets

    University of Nevada Las Vegas to Build VR Learning Hub for STEM Courses

    A new immersive learning center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas is tapping into the power of virtual reality to support STEM engagement and student success. The institution has partnered with Dreamscape Learn on the initiative, which will incorporate the company's interactive VR platform into introductory STEM courses.

  • Campus Technology Product Award

    Call for Entries: 2024 Campus Technology Product Awards

    The entry period for the 2024 Campus Technology Product Awards is now open.