As someone who spent 8 years pursuing higher education (BA, MA, MLIS), I can still remember what it's like to have to choose between buying a textbook for class, paying tuition, and buying groceries. Many of my professors would also choose editions with little thought as to availability and accessibility of the required text (eBooks were always frowned upon, for example). I also remember being disappointed by many of my classes, which I found had very little applicability to real world settings.

Today, as an educator and as an academic librarian, I see the value of incorporating OER into my practice-whether it is by talking with faculty about the benefits of using and creating open educational resources or trying to figure out ways that I can work open education into information literacy assignments and classes. I think OER has the power to increase student engagement and to foster digital literacy and critical thinking skills beyond the classroom- and I want to learn more about how I can use these resources to enhance teaching and learning. 

Right now, I'm really liking this new resource from College Libraries Ontario. This toolkit is designed to provide information and tools that will help faculty and librarians understand, engage with, and sustain OER in their institutions. 

From this community, I'm hoping to hear how some of you are incorporating OER into your practice and to learn about OER more generally, so that I feel more comfortable speaking with faculty members, colleagues, and staff at my place of work about open educational practices. As a long time lurker/observer, I'm hoping to become more of an active participant in this Community of Practice.