Library offers free general education textbooks

The Ellender Memorial Library is now offering free general education course textbooks to be checked out by Nicholls students. The initiative was started by Nicholls President Jay Clune to help Nicholls students save money.

“I took a great idea from the dean of libraries at the University of West Florida, and it has been well-received here,” Clune said.

In the short, two-month process, the library has looked at the textbooks assigned by professors, and started putting those books on reserve. The collection of books is almost complete.

“The library is trying to acquire all copies of the general education courses textbooks,” said Clifton P. Theriot, interim library director.

The program involves pulling some books from the library’s shelves, getting donations from professors, obtaining some books from the campus bookstore and receiving deliveries from different vendors.

“Most of the time, I’m working with my hands instead of reading out of a book. It will be nice to not have to waste money on something I will only use a few times a semester,” junior culinary student Zachary Swanson said.

All books are available at the reserve desk on the second floor of the library at no cost. Books must stay in the library, but students are able to check out a book for a four-hour period.

“Sometimes you don’t need a book for the entire semester, being able to check one out only when you need it will be very beneficial,” said freshmen nursing student Tenille Harberger.

As of now, books available under general education include courses in English, math, biology, government and more. In order to find the right book, students can look in the library’s catalog or ask for a specific class’s required text.

“If a student does not have access to a textbook, they can come here and check it out,” Theriot said.

One book is in service for each course. Once a book is checked out 10 times, the library will add an additional book.

“The idea is, next year we are going to expand it to all classes, not just general education courses. Another thing we want to do is to encourage faculty to use free, online textbooks,” Clune said.