Falvey Memorial Library :: Open Educational Resource (OER) Print Options

One size doesn't fit all! Many learners are growing increasingly comfortable working with digital text. They use highlighting and annotating tools with ease and aren't tempted by online distractions. Other students notice that they are better able to manage their learning using print materials. Typically copyright or licensing restrictions prohibit printing the full text of commercially published or library licensed ebooks. But there is good news for users of online open educational resources.

The usual restriction on copying the full text of a copyrighted work in its entirety doesn't apply to open educational resources (OER) because they are licensed with Creative Commons (CC) licenses which specifically give permission for coping and distribution of the work. (Some CC licenses prohibit commercial copying and distribution, but if you are a student that is interested in securing a print copy of an OER textbook for your own use this is not a commercial use and doens't apply to you).

This page lists some options for obtaining print copies of OER textbooks.

Print Textbooks from Bookstore

Some widely used OER may be in stock at the bookstore. Order them or pick them up in the usual way you would a commercially published text.

Order via the OER Publisher

Some OER publishers or platforms arrange for print on demand editions of their books. Typically there are various editions (color, black and white, hardbound, or paperback) at different price points. When comparison shopping take shipping costs and time into consideration.

Usually the OER publisher or platform will link out to place an individual order for a print copy.

If you don't see a link to order print, but do see an ISBN, chances are Amazon may offer it. Search Amazon books by the ISBN.