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Open Educational Resources (OER): Library resources

A guide for faculty and staff at Seattle Central College who wish to adopt or create OER materials

A Note about Library Materials as Course Materials

Consider filling in some of the gaps by using library resources, such as e-books and articles.

Licensed e-books, online magazines & journals, streaming media, and other online resources available through the Seattle Central College Library subscriptions are not considered Open Educational Resources. These resources are restricted to SCC students, faculty and staff, and they are already-licensed materials that do not allow for customization and re-use or redistribution the same way as OERs. Although library online resources are not "open", they are considered "alternative educational resources" (AER) that you can take advantage of and make available at no cost to your students. Library resources are also sometimes referred to as LER, which stands for licensed/library educational resources.

  • AER = alternative educational resources
  • LER = licensed/library educational resources
  • OER = open educational resources

Library Resources

Video: Library resources as course materials

This 5:26 minute video explores how library materials can be an important component in solving the problem of high textbook prices.

Source: "Library resources as course materials" by Open Oregon is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Webinar: Libraries Lead the Way, Open Courses, OER, and Open Policy

This webinar from 2013, hosted by the Open Education Consortium, explores how libraries and librarians are involved in supporting open courses, OER, and helping develop open policies.

Source: "LIBRARIES LEAD THE WAY: OPEN COURSES, OER, AND OPEN POLICY" by Open Education Consortium is licensed under CC BY 4.0

Book Titles about OER and Open Pedagogy