As the Indiana University eTexts initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary, the program continues to expand, improve and create significant savings for students on all campuses.
UITS began planning and development for what would become IU eTexts in 2009 with four objectives: provide affordable materials for students, give access to high-quality materials to faculty, develop new tools for teaching and learning, and shape the terms of eTexts models.
It became official with a 2011 agreement with publishers that reduced the cost of access to digital versions of paper textbooks. Over the following decade, the IU eTexts initiative evolved as a national leader in digital educational materials and saved students over $69 million off retail textbook prices in the process.
“The success of the IU eTexts program has exceeded our expectations,” said Anastasia “Stacy” Morrone, deputy chief information officer and interim dean of the IU Bloomington School of Education. “In addition to saving students millions of dollars, faculty and students have access to high-quality, low-cost digital course materials that enable deeper engagement and learning.”
