Find No Cost Textbook Classes

Courses with this designator do not require students to purchase textbooks, other reading materials, or access codes to online homework and test platforms.

However, classes may still have other fees for lab items, such as goggles, lab coats, art supplies, and other reusable items.

For registration for Fall 2025 classes, the University Libraries is partnering with the Anthropology and World Languages & Literatures departments to pilot test this process. Therefore, only classes from those two departments will have the No Cost Textbooks designator in Class Search. We hope to expand this search in the fall for registration for Spring 2026 classes to other departments and schools.

The University wants to make a college degree as affordable and transparent as possible for students. The No Cost Textbooks designator will help students identify classes with No Cost Textbooks upfront, making it easier to plan for expenses when registering.

University students reported in a 2023 study that access to free or low-cost textbooks was one of the most important areas of service to them, second only to the learning management system (WebCampus). The University Faculty Senate also approved a resolution in 2024 supporting course marking for open educational resources.

Courses with this designator do not require students to purchase textbooks, other reading materials, or access codes to homework platforms. Acceptable materials include:

• Open educational resources (OER)
• Anything in the public domain
• Material paid for and licensed by the University Libraries, such as ebooks, journal articles, and streaming video
• Instructor-created materials provided free of charge
• Freely available online content, such as free online articles and videos (although be mindful that access to these may change if removed by the copyright owner)

Courses do not qualify if they require students to purchase books, access codes or other paid similar learning material. However, if all required materials are free and only optional supplemental materials carry a cost, the course can still receive the No Cost Textbooks designation.

Courses with fees for lab items, such as goggles, lab coats, art supplies, and other reusable items can also qualify as long as they do not have textbook or other related costs.

The University Libraries is test piloting this new process with two departments, Anthropology and World Languages & Literatures, for Spring 2025. Only classes in those departments are eligible. The Libraries aim to expand this to more departments by Fall 2025.

Faculty in those departments interested in designating their course should speak to their department chair. Each department will oversee submitting information about designated courses to Admissions & Records, which will oversee adding the designation. Once a course section is included, anyone can search for it in Class Search by selecting the Course Attribute filter and choosing the "Course Fees" value and then selecting the Course Attribute Value filter and selecting "No Cost Textbooks."

• Reduces student costs by helping them identify courses without textbook expenses.
• Supports student recruitment and retention by making college more affordable.
• Aligns with UNR’s Strategic Plan to Strengthen the Pack, ensuring higher education remains accessible.
• Fulfills federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008) requirements for transparency in course costs.
• Preserves academic freedom as participation is optional, and faculty retain full control over course materials.

The University Libraries fully supports faculty autonomy in selecting the best materials for their courses. While the Libraries offer financial assistance through the Open Educational Resources Professional Development Grant, there is no requirement for faculty to switch to no-cost materials.

We also respect the ability for students to be better informed about their courses when registering and understand that for some of them, the ability to afford course materials can be an important consideration in addition to others. The No Cost Textbooks designation program will empower them to make enrollment decisions based on their own needs.

If you continue using the approved no-cost materials, no action is required. If you plan to introduce materials with associated costs, please consult your department chair and contact Librarian Teresa Schultz.