Introduction

NC State’s Mission and Commitment to Student Success

NC State University is a distinguished public land-grant institution recognized for its commitment to research, innovation, and real-world impact. Located in Raleigh, North Carolina, it is the state’s largest university, offering a wide array of programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, humanities, and social sciences, while also maintaining a rich history of leadership in agriculture and textiles. With a focus on hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and public service, NC State empowers students to address global challenges and drive meaningful change.

NC State is dedicated to enhancing campus culture and ensuring that the university remains a welcoming, supportive, and accessible environment for all, especially with a growing student body now approaching 40,000. This commitment goes beyond admission—it means actively removing financial and structural barriers so that all students have an equal opportunity to succeed  and reach their goals.

Course Material Costs and the Hidden Curriculum

One such barrier is the “hidden curriculum”—the unspoken expectations, norms, and insider knowledge that some students, especially those without generational experience in higher education, may not readily access (Chatelain, 2018). A crucial yet often overlooked aspect of the hidden curriculum is the ability to afford textbooks and course materials. When students are unable to purchase required texts, they may struggle to keep up with assignments, participate in discussions, or prepare adequately for exams—challenges that not only affect their academic performance but also their sense of belonging in the university community. For those already navigating the complexities of the hidden curriculum, these financial burdens can pose yet another barrier to persistence and success in their studies.

While the cost of course materials is not the largest expense in NC State’s overall cost of attendance—estimated at $624 for the 2025/2026 academic year—it remains a significant factor, especially when compared to tuition, housing, and food, which account for 87% of an undergraduate student’s estimated expenses (Undergraduate Student Estimated Cost of Attendance, 2025). Despite its relatively smaller share, the ability to access required course materials can profoundly impact a student’s success in a course. Lack of access to these materials can create barriers to participation, comprehension, and performance, ultimately affecting their success in a class.

This concern is reflected in a 2021 study which found that 65% of students chose not to purchase a textbook due to cost, compared to 63% the previous year. Despite this, 90 percent of students in both years expressed significant or moderate concern that not purchasing the materials would negatively affect their grades (Nagle & Vitez, 2021).

Library-Led Interventions to Improve Access

The Libraries has long been aware that many students face academic vulnerability when they are unable to obtain required textbooks. Over the past 15-20 years, the Libraries have made concerted efforts to address these challenges and reduce barriers to access for students.

One of the first initiatives was the establishment of a physical lending reserves collection in 2009, which allowed at least one copy of every required textbook to be available for checkout on a short-term basis. This effort helped alleviate some of the financial strain students faced by providing temporary access to essential course materials. However, as the demand for digital resources grew, the Libraries expanded their efforts by investing in an e-textbook lending collection. While this expansion has proven valuable, it has also presented its own set of challenges, particularly because publishers are often reluctant to make their materials available for digital lending. In addition to these initiatives, the Libraries collaborate with instructors to develop course packs, ensuring students have access to a variety of materials, including articles, book chapters, and other resources.

Embracing Open Educational Approaches

As the challenges surrounding access to course materials persisted, the Libraries recognized the potential of Open Education as a powerful solution to the affordability issue. Open Educational Resources (OER) have emerged as a promising alternative, offering free and openly-licensed materials that can be freely accessed, adapted, and redistributed. OER not only help to eliminate the financial burden of purchasing textbooks but also provide greater flexibility for instructors to customize materials to meet the needs of their students.

Campus libraries play a pivotal role in advancing open education, and are uniquely positioned to support faculty in developing and implementing OER. Many faculty members, however, are often unfamiliar with open education and unsure of where to start. This is where libraries come in: they not only offer the expertise to guide faculty through the process but can also often provide the financial support necessary for faculty to devote time and effort to these projects. Research underscores the essential role of libraries in faculty development—Mader and Gibson (2018) found that 83% of campus teaching centers involve librarians in their programming, highlighting the significant impact libraries can have in supporting professional growth. Fribley, Vance, and Gardner (2019) further highlight that libraries become even more vital when other institutional resources are limited, underscoring their key role in supporting faculty development when advancing open education initiatives.

In addition to financial support, the Libraries offer a wealth of expertise in areas such as resource discovery, copyright and fair use, publishing, and technology. This comprehensive support ensures that faculty have the guidance they need to identify appropriate OER, navigate copyright concerns, and effectively publish and share their materials. By combining financial assistance with these specialized services, the Libraries are able to help faculty create high-quality, accessible, and adaptable resources that benefit both students and instructors.

Transformative Teaching & Learning

Beyond reducing costs, OER enhances accessibility and empowers instructors to tailor content to better meet student needs. This adaptability allows for more engaging, relevant, and impactful learning experiences (Jhangiani & Biswas-Diener, 2017). OER also places control over course materials back into the hands of instructors, enabling them to align resources with their unique pedagogy and the specific needs of their learners. Unlike traditional textbooks, which are often protected by all rights reserved restrictions designed to protect the work rather than share it, OER gives instructors the freedom to modify, remix, and combine materials in ways that best support their teaching goals. They are no longer confined to specific formats or mediums, which allows for greater creativity in how content is presented. With this flexibility, instructors can incorporate new and emerging technologies, creating innovative learning experiences that a traditional textbook cannot offer. Moreover, OER expands access to learning, not only for the students in the classroom but also for educators and learners worldwide, creating opportunities for a more open and collaborative educational landscape.

NC State University Libraries is uniquely positioned to support both students and faculty in advancing accessible, adaptable, and engaging education. As a central hub for collaboration among students, faculty, and other campus stakeholders, the Libraries fulfill their mission of serving as a “competitive advantage” for the university. They do so not only by helping students access course materials but also by empowering educators to create dynamic learning environments that foster deeper, more meaningful engagement with course content.

This chapter explores how NC State University Libraries champion open education by advancing OER and open pedagogy through its various programs, equipping students and faculty with the tools to develop more, accessible, innovative and impactful learning experiences.