OER Knowledge CloudConference Proceedings20092009/03Cavanaugh, Terenceopen textbooksOER barriersdigital textbooksAssociation for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)120092486-2491978-1-880094-67-9Rising costs for textbooks, which can now add up to 1/5 to 1/2 the cost of tuition, have led to national and state legislation. Adopted legislation includes requirements such as of unbundling, publishing textbooks lists online 30 days in advance of a class starting, having copies of the texts available through campus libraries, and investigating options concerning the adopted texts. Many formats of textbooks are less expensive than printed books. Perhaps the most affordable solution is the open or open source textbook. This paper examines some of the options available for textbooks including textbook rental, digital textbooks and free open course textbooks, along with the feasibility of using such texts, advantages, and identifies possible barriers to their use.yeshttp://www.editlib.org/p/31006/http://www.editlib.org/p/31006/Chesapeake, VA