Textbooks & Course Materials

Free and Low-Cost Textbooks

Student FAQs

What is included in the free and low-cost label in Scheduler?

Required Course Materials

Included in costs?

Textbooks (new campus store price)

Yes

Workbooks and packets

Yes

Online homework/access codes

Yes

Textbook bundles purchased at beginning of programs

Yes

Supplies and hardware

Yes

DDA (direct digital access)

Yes

Fees and additional tuition

No

How do I use these labels?

Watch this video about using the free/low cost labels in Scheduler.

Where else can I find this information?

You can also limit results to only free/low-cost textbook courses in the Online Schedule of Courses by using the "Select Type of Report" dropdown menu.

Where do the data come from?

These data are generated from adoptions reported to the campus store. If materials were not reported by the deadline, a course may not have been designated as free or low-cost.

Why is this information provided?

As a result of HB2871, Oregon colleges and universities are required to “prominently designate courses whose course materials exclusively consist of open or free textbooks or other low-cost or no-cost course materials” at the point of registration. The LBCC Textbook Affordability Steering Committee strives to make this information useful and accessible to students. If you have questions or suggestions for improvement, email Michaela Willi Hooper.

Definitions

Direct digital access (DDA). DDA are course materials offered directly through Moodle or another learning platform. The costs are charged at registration, meaning students don’t have the option to purchase used. Because publishers can ensure that all students are paying the fee, the cost is usually lower than the new textbook cost. Read more about DDA.

Online homework/access codes. These might include access to the textbook itself, supplemental materials, tutorials, or online test-taking software. Examples include ALEKs and Sapling.

Supplies and hardware. Hardware and supplies are included when specific items are required for a course and reported to the bookstore. Hardware might include the required purchase of a laptop, clicker, or specific type of calculator for a course. Course supplies might include paint brushes or paper for an art class. Some programs may require a purchase of equipment at the beginning of the program. This is not reported to the bookstore and not included.

Textbook bundles purchased at beginning of programs. Some programs require students to purchase all books as a bundle at the beginning of the program. When the cost of a bundle is more than $40, these courses do not receive the free/low-cost label.