Library Resources

Introduction

As we become more mindful of students’ financial challenges, many faculty are exploring alternatives to costly traditional textbooks. You can use PCC Library resources and / or Open Educational Resources (OER) to make your courses Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) while providing current, quality materials.

Definitions

Explore different dimensions of strategies to enhance academic integrity online.

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Courses

Courses in which all required textbooks and readings can be accessed online by students for free. The required textbooks and readings may be PCC Library resources or Open Educational Resources (OER). Note: If a course does not include required textbooks or readings, it would also be designated as Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC). Students can search the online course schedule for ZTC courses.

PCC Library Resources

Ebooks, database articles, and streaming videos available free to PCC faculty, staff, and students. The library’s electronic resources are accessible to distance learners via any Internet-connected device. Users need a current LancerPoint username and password to access most library resources. Note: While they are free for PCC faculty, staff, and students, these resources are secured and provided by the library.

Open Educational Resources (OER)

According to California Educational Code Section 66406.9: “Open educational resources are high-quality teaching, learning, and research resources that reside in the public domain or have been released under an intellectual property license, such as a Creative Commons license, that permits their free use and repurposing by others, and may include other resources that are legally available and free of cost to students. Open educational resources include, but are not limited to, full courses, course materials, modules, textbooks, faculty-created content, streaming videos, tests, software, and any other tools, materials, or techniques used to support access to knowledge.” Faculty may download OER, adapt them to their own course specifications, and share them freely with students. Attribution may be required.

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Library Resources

PCC Library is here to support you and your students. As the campus gateway to a world of information, the library offers a wealth of current, credible resources in electronic formats that are well-suited to distance learners.

Students, faculty, and staff enjoy free access to a diverse array of subscription databases, which can be utilized from any Internet-connected device with a current LancerPoint username and password, as well as an ever-expanding collection of ebooks and streaming videos. Ebooks may be accessed through the library’s online catalog.

Consider using library resources, including database articles and ebooks, to make your course Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC). You may add direct links to library ebooks, articles, and videos to your Canvas courses, providing seamless access.

Faculty may schedule librarian-led research sessions for their classes to support students’ information literacy and encourage the use of library resources for research papers and projects. You may also wish to explore and share the library’s subject-specific research guides as well as our collection of bite-sized tutorial videos.

In addition, the Library provides loaning service to students for laptops, chromebooks and electronic calculators. Registered students may visit the Lab Desk on the bottom level of the Library.

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to Ask a Librarian!

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Extending Your Professional Learning

Would you like to explore Open Educational Resources further?

Browse the resources provided by the ASCCC OER Initiative
Explore research on OER use and impact
Watch a short, inspiring video on OER and Open Education.

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