Low & No-Cost Educational Resources

No-Cost Resources 

Open Educational Resources (OER) 

• OER are freely available online resources distributed under a copyright license that allows users to retain copies (download, duplicate, store, and manage), reuse, revise, remix, and redistribute. 

Library Ebooks 

• Library ebooks are excellent alternatives to requiring the purchase of commercial textbooks. Locate and access ebooks through UC Library Search and contact the library to ensure the ebook has a multiple user license to support class use. If we do not own a title, request an ebook purchase.

Library Course Resources Service

• If you plan to use a small percentage of a text, a collection of articles, or streaming media, the Library can make these resources available to your students in CatCourses. Visit Course Resources for details and request instructions. 

Lower Cost Format & Delivery Options 

Format Options

• The UC Merced Bookstore can help you price format and delivery options when selecting materials for courses, such as ebook and rental options. 

Inclusive Access

• Inclusive access is an automatic billing model negotiated between the UC Merced Bookstore and publishers to provide heavily discounted ebook and resource rental services. Some inclusive access programs have received negative feedback from students. Visit InclusiveAccess.org for the benefits and drawbacks of inclusive access. Contact UC Merced Bookstore for more information.

Our Process 

1. Complete our Consultation Request Form for Low & No-Cost Educational Resources. 
2. The team will review your request and start to identify potential educational resources. A team member may be in contact if additional information is needed.
3. A team member will coordinate a time to meet with you in order to present potential low or no-cost educational resources and identify next steps.
4. After this meeting, a team member will be back in touch to ensure that your questions are answered, desired educational resources are accessible, and pedagogical impacts are considered.

Team Expertise

UC Merced Library

• Locating Open Education Resources (OER)
• Locating library subscription resources
• Library ebook access & licenses 
• Requesting courses resources in CatCourses
• Knowledge of fair use, creative commons licensing, public domain etc. 

Teaching Commons

• Instructional design
• Integrating OER & materials into CatCourses
• Open pedagogy & the practice of teaching

University Bookstore 

• Knowledge of publisher offerings
• Creation of custom course packets
• Inclusive access options