I have worked at an academic library for the past 12 years. My various roles have touched on issues around copyright, usage rules, etc. I have gone through a lengthy process of interrogatory questions with collective agencies and seen efforts to embrace more accessible online resources for student learning materials. A concerning trend I am seeing is instructors utilizing poor quality online materials even in cases where a single quality commercial item is available which does a better job of conveying the information to the student. I feel it is going to be challenge to educate instructors the difference between high-quality open access materials and “stuff they can find for free online and cobble to together in to course materials”. Efforts like BC Campus Open Textbook can help show the teaching community what is possible to build for the world learning community.

My work in libraries has equipped me an ability to communicate with instructors and course designers about what materials they really need/want and trying to present them with a variety of options. I wonder what how other people deal with balancing quality vs. openness in recommending resources for others.