Although knowledge is priceless, course materials can be expensive. In order to alleviate some of the financial burden for students at MU, the University of Missouri Libraries and Mizzou Media, a division of the University Bookstore, have identified materials that are licensed to the library and can be distributed to students in course packets.

When the libraries subscribe to electronic journal packages, the licenses may include authorization to use articles for a variety of teaching and research purposes, including the distribution of electronic articles through print course packets and as class handouts. When Mizzou Media create course packets, they typically pay copyright fees in order to reproduce and distribute the materials that professors and instructors choose to include in course packets. This cost is passed on to the students when they purchase the packet. By identifying the journal licenses that allow duplication of materials for inclusion in course packs, Mizzou Media is able to cut the cost of the course packets and pass that savings on to the students. The overall savings is estimated to be approximately $10,000 a year in savings for the students of MU.

“It is the desire of Mizzou Media to balance copyright compliance with affordability,” stated Heather Tearney of Mizzou Media. “By working closely with the MU Libraries to efficiently use materials that the libraries have already paid for access to, we are demonstrating that MU is committed to making course materials affordable for students.”

The MU libraries and Mizzou Media will continue to work together to identify database licenses that allow distribution of articles in course packets. They will also work with database vendors to try and negotiate contracts that allow for this use. Over time this should lead to even more savings for students.

For more information, contact Shannon Cary at carysn@missouri.edu or (573) 882-4703.