A textbook affordability program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has saved students more than $3.1 million since 2022, and organizers says they’re just getting started.
Through the Libraries Course Materials program, instructors can assign required books and readings that are made available directly through the UNL Libraries system at no cost to students. Titles are sourced from existing collections or purchased as e-books with unlimited licenses, allowing entire classes to access materials simultaneously—for free.
“Course material costs can change dramatically from semester to semester, which makes them hard for students to budget,” said Melissa Gomis, chair of Collections Strategy and Open Scholarship. “This program gives students access to what they need on day one without having to spend hundreds of dollars at the bookstore.”
The program recently completed a semester-long pilot study aimed at scaling its reach. Eighteen instructors across 27 courses—ranging from engineering and criminology to journalism and music—submitted their syllabi for cost comparison. According to Gomis, only three courses were already using the most affordable option available.
This fall alone, UNL Libraries supplied more than 2,400 course material citations to 4,600 students across 166 class sections, saving an estimated $350,000. The program has only tracked data since 2022. But since, Gomis says the total number of savings for students is more than $3 million.
The program draws on foundation and donor funds to purchase e-book licenses, many of which cost under $100 and can be reused across semesters. Instructors submit their material lists ahead of each term, and the Libraries handle the sourcing, purchasing and upload directly into UNL’s student course work portal Canvas.
“[Students] are working on devices all day,” she said. “Most prefer not having to carry physical books, and even when they want one, they can still download or print chapters.”
Faculty reaction has also been positive. One School of Music instructor, who piloted the program while designing a new course, submitted her full reading list and received every title provided directly through the Libraries.
“Having everything ready to go in Canvas made her preparation easier and made her course completely free for students,” Gomis said.
Looking ahead, Libraries staff are actively inviting faculty to submit syllabi for spring 2026.