Unlocking OER for Public Libraries

"Open educational resources (OER) are free teaching and learning materials that are in the public domain or released under an open copyright license. These materials can be accessed, repurposed, adapted, and redistributed for free. Rooted in the human right to education, OER gained attention by making information and education more affordable and accessible, especially as tuition at colleges and universities increased. While conversations about their use have focused on academic and school libraries, OER have much to offer public libraries.

OER advocates often cite the sharp rise in textbook costs as a reason for growing interest in open education, and academic librarians now partner with faculty to support the use of open and low-cost course materials to reduce costs for students. However, the talking points academics use may not seem relevant to public librarians or their patrons.

Alex Houff, Digital Equity and Virtual Services Manager at the Baltimore County Public Library, argues OER have a “marketing problem.” In a recent Library Futures learning circle, she explained that people often don’t know what open resources are. Because of this, it’s hard to create an “elevator pitch” for OER in public libraries. Houff believes the critical first step in expanding OER programs is helping people understand how OER initiatives can benefit their communities."