Skip to Main Content
Campus Library Logo

Open Educational Resources Guide: Library (Licensed) Educational Resources - LER

Using Library Resources as Course Materials

students using laptop in the libraryLibrary resources are generally not considered to be Open Educational Resources since they are usually purchased or licensed. But using library resources, such as ebooks, online journal articles, and streaming media, can lower textbook costs for students. These are high-quality resources that students can access at no additional cost.

Before using these resources you must check for copyright and/or licensing restrictions, and be aware that not all library resources (especially ebooks) allow multiple, simultaneous users.

If you are unsure whether a licensed resource is a good candidate to use in your course, or have questions about how to integrate these materials into your Canvas site, please contact Campus Library Reserves or your Subject Librarian for  help.

In this guide:

Starting Points for Licensed Educational Resources

These are some good places to start looking for library resources that serve unlimited, simultaneous users:

eBook Collections:

Chat with a UW Librarian

Help for Faculty

Adopting eBooks as Course Texts

Ebooks provided through the library can be a great alternative to using expensive textbooks. However not all ebooks allow multiple, simultaneous users. You'll need to check the licensing terms. You can find this info in the UW Libraries Search record for the ebook. Look for the "view license terms" link. Does it allow unlimited users?

inage- ebook license info