Textbook initative · SGA at JHU

This document is from a previous session and is kept for the record. It may have been amended or replaced since.

Goal: Bring more physical textbooks to Sheridan library system for students to check out
Would like to know:
- What does/did physical textbook utilization look like?
- Where would the $ for more textbooks come from?
- Is there a benefit to using physical vs digital textbooks? → do outside research
- Which classes would bringing physical textbooks first bring the greatest impact?
- If not from the library, where do students currently get their textbooks?
- Is this too similar to previously attempted free textbook initiatives?
Who to talk to:
- Sheridan Libraries
- Specific professors?
  - Orgo: Dr. N, Falzone → a lot of students will buy a textbook esp in Orgo 1.
  - ChemBE: Spangler, Hussman (for transport classes that use BSL)
Could maybe also talk with librarians directly to gauge what they think about this initiative
Timeline: If this is a viable idea and admin/associated depts approve, would like to see more textbooks by the spring semester.

AA 10/18/2025

Maybe do this through department specific property?? → would be difficult to go through lib + finaid
Create survey for chemBEs specifically → will have better view of textbook issue
Approach Spangler first? Get her backing first
How funding for ChemBE → ask Lilian Josephson llj@jhu.edu
Heith Welch, Budget Specialist, Maryland Hall 230, hwelch1@jh.edu
Game plan:
- Approach a professor about deploying a survey on whether it would be helpful to have more physical textbooks/supplementary material available for borrowing through the department
  - Potential people: Spangler, Hussmann

Summary

This is a proposal to bring physical textbooks to the Sheridan library system for student checkout, with an initial focus on ChemBE. 1* Goal: Bring more physical textbooks to Sheridan library system for students to check out
It proposes researching textbook use, the benefits of physical and digital books, which classes would benefit most, current sources for textbooks, funding, and overlap with earlier free-textbook initiatives. 2* Would like to know:3* Is there a benefit to using physical vs digital textbooks? → do outside research
The proposed first step is a ChemBE student survey, potentially distributed through Professor Spangler or Professor Hussmann, to measure demand for borrowable textbooks and supplementary materials. 4* Create survey for chemBEs specifically → will have better view of textbook issue 5* Approach a professor about deploying a survey on whether it would be helpful to have more physical textbooks/supplementary material available for borrowing through the department
Possible partners and advisers include Sheridan Libraries, relevant professors, and librarians; Orgo and ChemBE courses are identified as possible areas of need. 6* Sheridan Libraries
Funding for ChemBE is to be investigated with Lilian Josephson, and Heith Welch is listed as a budget specialist. 7* How funding for ChemBE → ask Lilian Josephson [llj@jhu.edu](mailto:llj@jhu.edu)
If the idea is viable and receives administrative and department approval, the goal is to have more textbooks available by the spring semester. 8* Timeline: If this is a viable idea and admin/associated depts approve, would like to see more textbooks by the spring semester.

People named

Amy Xu — Drive owner, Last edited

Drive file created by xuamy05 · last edited by xuamy05

Heith Welch, Budget Specialist, Maryland Hall 230, hwelch1@jh.edu