The Department of Philosophy in the College of Liberal Arts has introduced a Student Book Loan Program to support students enrolled in its majors and minors. This initiative provides free access to required textbooks for the entire semester, significantly easing the financial burden on students.
At the De La Mare Library students can request a loan, sign an agreement, and receive their textbooks. The program operates on a first-come, first-serve basis, ensuring prompt access to essential materials.
Initiated in fall 2022 by Erica "Ed" Dietlein, a former student and administrative assistant, with departmental approval and funds, the program was inspired by a similar initiative in the engineering department. Dietlein recognized access to materials as a critical barrier to student success and sought to address this issue.
The program has been well received, with a high demand for textbooks. Maria C. Duque-Rueda, Library Operations & Outreach Manager at the DeLaMare, noted that almost all books were quickly borrowed at the start of the Spring 2023 semester, underscoring the initiative's positive impact on students.
While Open Educational Resources (OER) are ideal, they are often unavailable for specific philosophy courses, making this program essential. The biggest challenge is securing funds for expansion, particularly for high-demand classes like PHIL 244: Bioethics and PHIL 102: Critical Thinking.
The Student Book Loan Program demonstrates the Philosophy Department's commitment to accessibility and student success. By removing financial barriers to textbooks, the program enhances the academic experience and stands as a model for other departments.
