NYMC Faculty Publications

Author Type(s)

Faculty

DOI

10.1016/j.acalib.2025.103127

Journal Title

The Journal of Academic Librarianship

First Page

103127

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2025

Department

Health Sciences Library

Keywords

Acquisitions, Course-Required Textbooks, eBooks, Higher Education, Collection Development, Budgets

Disciplines

Education | Medicine and Health Sciences

Abstract

Objectives: Textbook costs have escalated for students and the library. The objective of this scoping review is to assist libraries in developing a collection policy for course-required textbooks informed by themes and outcomes recognized in the existing body of research.

Methods: The scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O’Malley’s framework and the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The team did an environmental scan, constructed a comprehensive search strategy in six databases, and conducted hand and cited-reference searching. Included papers were quantitative or qualitative studies with outcomes described and mapped to prevailing themes.

Results: Nine hundred twenty-three records were identified via database and cited reference searching. After deduplication, 760 records were screened, and 675 records were excluded. 85 full-text records were retrieved and after review, 29 records were further excluded. Fifty-six studies were included for review, most of which were case studies. Thirteen recurring themes were identified and grouped.

Conclusions: Libraries are increasingly enlisted in wider academic strategies to make education more affordable for students. Course reserves programs are often initiated or expanded at the request of student groups, sometimes motivating financial support from administration. Published studies have focused primarily on undergraduate settings. The scoping review provides recommendations for the development and management of textbook collections.

Publisher's Statement

This is the author's preprint. The published journal article or Version of Record is published by Elsevier and can be found here: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.acalib.2025.103127

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