Albert, D. R., Redcay, A., & Pfannenstiel, A. N. (2021). The impact of typical textbook behaviors on satisfaction with zero textbook cost materials. The International Journal of Open Educational Resources, 4(1).
Draper, D., Mayes, L., & Payne, B. (2023). From high school to community college to ODU to the C-suite: Creating a text-book free pathway to a bachelor’s Z-degree. Open Learning, 38(1), 58-72.
Wiley, D., Williams, L., DeMarte, D., & Hilton, J. (2016). The Tidewater Z-Degree and the INTRO model for sustaining OER adoption. Education Policy Analysis Archives/Archivos Analíticos de Políticas Educativas, 24, 1-15.
ZTC stands for Zero Textbook Cost. It means a degree, major, program, or pathway that students can earn without paying for any textbook. It takes textbook equity to the next level, moving from a course-by-course approach to a programmatic approach, which can positively impact students throughout a program.
This is particularly important to consider for programs that attract part-time students, students of color, international students, adult students, and Pell-eligible students; these groups tend to face the most textbook and financial barriers and benefit the most from free online texts such as Open Educational Resources (OER). Online students also particularly benefit from the ease of use/access of free digital materials because there is no wait or login required.
Nationally, ZTC programs began with Associates Degrees, but increasingly Bachelor's and Master's degree programs are transitioning to ZTC. ZTC degree programs are often called a "Z-degree".
Rod Library faculty can help facilitate any department/program-level conversations about the potential to move toward a ZTC model while maintaining instructor academic freedom. We provide professional development and personalized support for instructors as well as customized lists of free/affordable materials at the course level. We also assist with goal-setting and keep track of progress toward a ZTC major/program/pathway
Departments interested in discussing what ZTC could look like should contact their liaison librarian and the Textbook Equity Librarian, Anne Marie Gruber, at anne.gruber@uni.edu or (319) 273-3711.
When considering course materials costs, generally the Textbook Equity program counts student-paid costs for Required texts. A Zero Textbook Cost program may still have other course-related costs, such as for supplies (goggles, art supplies, stethoscopes, etc.). Instructors are encouraged to consider ways to minimize these costs as well.
Rod Library can assist in identifying potential OER to use as-is or adapt to reflect our instructor/student needs. Rod Library also provides support for instructors to publish materials they have created. In addition, materials such as unlimited library ebooks, Open Access materials from publishers, and public domain materials can be used to achieve ZTC goals.
