Collaboration
Library-led Initiatives: Collaborations to Integrate OER in new Veterinary Science Courses
Southern Cross University
Melissa Jurd and Jenny Luethi
Overview
This chapter delves into the collaborative efforts of two academic librarians at Southern Cross University (SCU) to integrate Open Educational Resources (OER) and other freely accessible materials into new veterinary medicine and technology courses. Drawing inspiration from the success of OER adoption in SCU’s Bachelor of Psychological Science program, we embarked on a proactive advocacy journey. We explored the significance of OERs and Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses in ensuring inclusive access, particularly within SCU’s innovative education framework: the Southern Cross Model. With SCU’s ‘Teaching and Learning Procedures’ and the ‘Library Collection Policy’ both endorsing open access content, specifically OERs, this chapter underscores the fundamental role of library advocacy in promoting equitable access to educational resources and fostering collaborative learning environments.
The announcement of two new courses in veterinary science opened the door to explore new avenues and actively advocate for OERs and other open resources before the courses were launched. Instead of the usual approach of retrospectively replacing traditional textbooks, we proactively began compiling a list of OERs and alternative resources even before the courses were developed or written. This initiative led to collaboration with the course design, planning, and writing team. With the Bachelor of Veterinary Technology (BVetTech) expected to commence in 2025 and the Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed) planned for 2026, this ongoing collaboration has provided valuable insights and experiences.
Since June 2023, when the new courses were first announced, our journey has been marked by a mixture of ups and downs, highlights and challenges, excitement and worries. These experiences are all integral to this case study and the project’s outcome. They highlight areas for improvement along with our successes. Most importantly, our journey has the potential to serve as a beacon for future library collaborations in selecting student resources, paving the way for a local repository filled with high-quality OERs mapped to subject areas and learning outcomes.
Using this case study
This case study is useful to explore how proactive collaboration between librarians and course designers can drive the successful integration of OERs into new university courses. By mapping OERs to course units before their development, this case highlights the challenges in resource gaps and stakeholder identification. It also illustrates the benefits of cost savings for students and the university, as well as refined curriculum design. These insights can guide future initiatives in creating equitable access to educational materials, fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking academic environment.
Key stakeholders
The journey b