Overall college affordability has become a major impediment for many students and their parents in recent years. Costs for required textbooks continue to rise on an annual basis to the point where many students often need to make hard decisions about foregoing the purchase of textbooks or achieving success in their studies. Numerous studies, both academic as well as popular, have identified textbook affordability as a significant issue in higher education. To investigate and attempt to mitigate the growing and recurrent expenses associated with the use of required textbooks on students as well as their parents, our University created the Retention Committee Working Group on Textbooks in 2012. As part of their charge, members of the body examined and subsequently made recommendations to the University President, Provost, school Deans, Office of Student Life, Library Administration, several student groups, and other stakeholders. As endorsements and meaningful conversations ensued, a partnership between the University and Office of Student Life was pursued and solidified. This presentation will explore in greater depth the mechanics, partnerships, politics, utilization, and promotion initiatives that have made this innovative program not only an overwhelming success over the past five years, but also made the Library a destination point for students. This program, since its pilot in Fall, 2013 through Spring, 2018 has resulted in more than 40,000 textbook circulations at the library's Help Desk.
