Champions of Affordability: Designing a Library-Led OER Recognition Program
Program Type
Event
Start Date and Time
11-5-2026 8:00 AM
Program Description
As textbook affordability becomes an increasingly visible issue in higher education, libraries are uniquely positioned to promote and encourage faculty adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER). This lightning talk presents how a group of three librarians reimagined their academic library’s role in actively promoting open textbooks at their university. By shifting from passive advocacy to an active, library-led recognition program, we sought to create a sustainable initiative for highlighting and rewarding faculty adoption of OER in their courses. In doing so, we also aimed to influence campus culture by elevating OER as a valued teaching practice and encouraging broader participation in open education initiatives. With the award being new to both the library and university, the process needed to be developed from the ground up. This work included defining the award’s purpose and scope, creating a rubric and nomination process, developing promotional materials, and building partnerships with library and campus stakeholders. This award was designed not only to acknowledge faculty use of OER in coursework, but also to function as an opportunity for increasing campus-wide awareness and normalizing OER as a valued teaching practice. Attendees will gain practical insights into planning and launching a library-led OER award program. Including strategies for collaboration, promotion, and long-term program visibility. Participants will leave with adaptable ideas for implementing a similar award program at their own institutions. Learning outcomes: —Identify key steps in developing a library-led OER faculty award program, including defining criteria, creating nomination processes, and building campus partnerships. —Apply practical strategies for promoting OER visibility and encouraging faculty participation through recognition programs at their own institutions
Champions of Affordability: Designing a Library-Led OER Recognition Program
As textbook affordability becomes an increasingly visible issue in higher education, libraries are uniquely positioned to promote and encourage faculty adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER). This lightning talk presents how a group of three librarians reimagined their academic library’s role in actively promoting open textbooks at their university. By shifting from passive advocacy to an active, library-led recognition program, we sought to create a sustainable initiative for highlighting and rewarding faculty adoption of OER in their courses. In doing so, we also aimed to influence campus culture by elevating OER as a valued teaching practice and encouraging broader participation in open education initiatives. With the award being new to both the library and university, the process needed to be developed from the ground up. This work included defining the award’s purpose and scope, creating a rubric and nomination process, developing promotional materials, and building partnerships with library and campus stakeholders. This award was designed not only to acknowledge faculty use of OER in coursework, but also to function as an opportunity for increasing campus-wide awareness and normalizing OER as a valued teaching practice. Attendees will gain practical insights into planning and launching a library-led OER award program. Including strategies for collaboration, promotion, and long-term program visibility. Participants will leave with adaptable ideas for implementing a similar award program at their own institutions. Learning outcomes: —Identify key steps in developing a library-led OER faculty award program, including defining criteria, creating nomination processes, and building campus partnerships. —Apply practical strategies for promoting OER visibility and encouraging faculty participation through recognition programs at their own institutions
