A gift to the N Fund – Libraries, UNL Libraries’ main development fund, enables the library system to continue its long-term investment in innovative, advanced learning and research for every student on campus.
Eight decades ago, Love Library South first welcomed students to the heart of the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s City Campus.
As the building marks its 80th anniversary, the University Libraries are anything but old-fashioned, offering students programs and services to keep Huskers connected to the future of learning.
Access to course materials is critical for student success, yet the rising cost of textbooks puts them out of reach for some students. Recognizing this challenge, the University Libraries launched the Libraries Course Materials program two years ago, giving thousands of UNL students free options that ease financial strain and open doors to learning.
The program allows students to access materials through the University Libraries’ collections, including e-books with unlimited user licenses. Since its launch, it has already saved students more than $3.1 million.
The program, funded in part through the N Fund – Libraries, is available to all students taking courses where faculty have integrated course materials through the Libraries.
Troy Kallhoff, a sophomore from Exeter, Nebraska, majoring in political science and economics, became aware of the Libraries Course Materials program during his first semester at UNL. He estimates that he has saved approximately $500 over the last three semesters.
“This semester, all of my class materials for my United States Foreign Policy class were uploaded to campus at no cost to myself or the other students in class,” Kallhoff said. “In another class, the book was available fully online at no cost.”
The program also received support from UNL alumni Tom and Candy Henning through a pledged gift. The support will allow University Libraries to continue to acquire more unlimited user licenses to benefit the Libraries Course Materials program.
The Libraries has provided more than 6,000 items to over 23,000 students enrolled in the 600-plus classes using Libraries Course Materials lists. While students save significant amounts of money, new expenses shift to the University Libraries because an unlimited license e-book is more expensive than a traditional e-book.
“One way the Libraries keeps costs down for students and ensures that they have access to quality learning materials is by purchasing e-books with unlimited user licenses,” said Liz Lorang, dean of University Libraries. “These licenses mean that all students in a course — and all users of the UNL community, in fact — can use the book simultaneously.”
Kallhoff encouraged his fellow students to look into the program as it expands over time.
“Take advantage of the program throughout your college experience,” Kallhoff said. “It has already saved me money and time in trying to find the materials needed for classes and will undoubtedly save me more of both in the future.”
