Skip to main content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.
GW Libraries
Research
•
Ask A Librarian

Open Textbooks and Resources for Faculty

A guide to exploring open textbook options as well as other open education resources for GW faculty

Why Do We Need Open Textbooks?

The high cost of textbooks continues to negatively impact student access, success, and completion...

Graph showing the impact of textbook costs to students

Source:  Florida Virtual Campus, 2018 Student Textbook and Course Materials Survey:  Results and Findings

Benefits of Open Textbooks

Image showing the benefits of using open textbooks

"GW Open Textbooks" by GW Libraries can be reused under the CC BY license

Open Textbooks:

  • textbooks that are freely available with nonrestrictive licenses
  • cover a wide range of disciplines
  • available to download and print in various file formats from several web sites and OER repositories
  • range from public domain books to existing textbooks to textbooks created specifically for OER.
  • solve the problems of the high cost of textbooks, book shortages, and access to textbooks as well as providing the capacity to better meet local teaching and learning needs.
GW Libraries • 2130 H Street NW • Washington DC 20052 • 202.994.6558 • AskUs@gwu.edu