Better Books

Learn about our Better Books campaign to provide more affordable learning resources to students.

Textbook affordability

Textbook affordability is a real issue impacting RMIT students. A 2024 study conducted by RUSU surveyed students on the impact of the requirement to purchase textbooks for their courses. Students indicated they were struggling to participate fully in their studies due to the financial burden of purchasing textbooks. Here’s what some students said:

I could only afford one of my textbooks this semester. If I bought the other three, I wouldn’t be able to afford my Myki to get into the city and go to class.

I’ve had to pick up extra work shifts (as a bartender at night which means my sleep has been heavily sacrificed). I’ve had to hold off on other important expenses like bills, to be able to afford textbooks for my courses so that I wouldn’t fall behind.

It’s becoming increasingly clear that students don’t see the value in investing in textbooks, and they don’t engage meaningfully with the information within.

Better Books

Better Books is the Library’s invitation to educators: how can we work together to make university more accessible and less financially burdensome for our students?

A 2022 study scoping open textbooks and social justice benefits (Lambert and Fadel) explored research conducted overseas. It showed the use of open textbooks in teaching led to improved grades, retention, and course progress rates. Applying a social justice lens to the Australian context, the study found a strong appetite among Australian students and educators for the adoption of open textbooks in learning and teaching.

Better Books invites you to consider options other than traditional textbooks for your course learning materials and instead engage with diversified, sustainable and accessible quality learning resources.

Identifying free or low-cost alternatives

While traditional publishing models and agreements are an established and long relied upon mode of delivering course content, they’re no longer fit for purpose and inclusive. Accessible and sustainable alternative options are becoming more widely available and adopted.

The University’s core purpose is to deliver learning that is free of barriers and access restrictions. As an educator, you can still deliver the same quality learning experience without having to pass on substantive costs to the student.

Consider:

Using LibrarySearch to source electronic versions of textbooks, with flexible licensing arrangements.
Requesting a purchase if the Library does not have an electronic version of a textbook you would like to recommend.
Exploring open education resources and textbooks.
Getting in touch with the Library’s Teaching Support team (login required) for one-on-one support and guidance in accessing these resources.

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

More information