Summer Newsletter

Exceptional Undergraduate Learning

SUMMER 2025

Resources

Tackling Textbook Affordability: 3 Ways to Make Learning Materials More Accessible

Open Textbook Grant Funding New and Adapted Resources To further promote accessible learning, MacEwan offers Open Textbook Grants of up to $5,000, funded by the Office of the Provost. These grants support faculty in creating new open textbooks, adapting existing ones, or developing supplemental materials such as instructor guides or multimedia content. Funds may be used to hire student assistants, pay for design, video production, or provide honoraria for peer reviewers. The initiative supports the creation of resources tailored to MacEwan’s curriculum while ensuring they are freely accessible to students. Before applying, faculty should consult with their academic leadership and can book a short consultation at digitalscholarship@macewan.ca t o confirm project eligibility. continuing to be a significant barrier for students, the Textbook Affordability Program helps reduce expenses while supporting faculty and preserving academic quality. n the winter term of 2025, more than 3,000 students applied for awards and bursaries to assist with textbook affordability . With textbook costs

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Textbook Alternative Service Helping Faculty Find Affordable Options

Through the Textbook Alternative Service, faculty can request personalized support from librarians to find high-quality, lower-cost materials for their courses. This may include open textbooks, library-licensed resources with unlimited access, or more affordable options from publishers. Faculty can begin the process by submitting a request form outlining their course needs; a subject librarian is then assigned to explore viable alternatives and compile a list of materials that align with the course’s goals. At the core of MacEwan’s open publishing efforts is MacEwan Open Books, a platform that enables faculty to publish original open textbooks or adapt existing ones. The service provides in kind support such as copyediting, book cover design, publishing software, and copyright guidance. Several titles created by MacEwan faculty and staff are already available through the MacEwan Open Books catalog, with more currently in development. These free, adaptable textbooks align with course needs and are available to students from day one—no purchase required. MacEwan Open Books A Home for Faculty-Published Texts