Western Kentucky University Libraries has selected the following 10 faculty as recipients for the 2020 Affordable Textbook Initiative, sponsored by the WKU Sisterhood.

Left to Right, top row:

Carnetta Skipworth, Associate Professor, Chemistry

Jacob Bly, Assistant Professor, Economics

Andrew Head, Assistant Professor, Finance

Reagan Brown , Professor, Psychological Sciences

Dorothea Browder, Associate Professor, History

Left to Right, on the couch:

Toni Szymanski, Associate Professor, School of Teacher Education

Scott Bonham, Associate Professor, Physics and Astronomy

Anne Heintzman, Instructor, School of Professional Studies

Dana Sullivan, Professor, Social Work (not pictured)

Christopher Groves, Distinguished Professor, Geology and Geography (not pictured)

“We were so pleased with the response from WKU faculty for this new initiative,” said WKU Libraries Dean Susann deVries. “Part of student success is helping students decrease barriers and it is wonderful that WKU faculty are helping to reduce textbook expenses.”

 According to Library Public Services Department Chair Laura DeLancey, the goal of the Affordable Textbook Initiative is to make course materials available at no cost to WKU students by incentivizing faculty adoption of library-licensed or Open Educational Resources in place of traditional textbooks. The Affordable Textbook Initiative awarded ten $1,500 grants to faculty who agree to replace traditional textbooks with an open-access or library licensed-alternative. Grant recipients will receive support and assistance identifying textbook alternatives and updating assignments from library faculty and CITL. 

 “We had so many promising proposals it was very difficult to choose only ten grant recipients. I love that WKU faculty are excited to try something new and make a difference. Going textbook-free or adopting an ebook from the library are great ways to save students money. The Library is excited to help our colleagues tackle college affordability any way we can.”

 For more information on the initiative, contact Laura DeLancey at 270-745-3979.