Inequitable Impacts of Textbook Costs at a Small, Private College: Results from a Textbook Survey at Gettysburg College

Recognizing that higher education settings vary considerably, librarians at Gettysburg College sought to better understand textbook spending behaviors and the effects of costs on our students. We adapted Florida Virtual Campus 2016 Student Textbook Course Materials Survey suit context small, private, liberal arts college. Most students spent $300 in Fall 2019. Financial aid awards did not cover cost required books course materials for most receiving aid. Negative were more pronounced first-generation Pell Grant recipients, who likely purchase books, register a due cost, struggle academically. Some reported negative beyond their academic lives, as well. recommend adoption Open Educational Resources an equity-minded practice addresses this success barrier.