Shared Leadership and Staying CALM in Academic Libraries: A Textbook Alternative Initiative

A Personal Call to Action

Academic libraries have always been at the forefront of addressing the inequities that exist within education. For me, this responsibility became personal when a student told me they were skipping meals to afford textbooks. Over the years, I’d heard similar stories from others—students sharing books, delaying purchases, or going without altogether. These choices weren’t just inconveniences; they were barriers to success.

It was clear that something needed to change. Rising textbook costs were more than a financial burden—they were an equity issue, disproportionately impacting first-generation students, students from marginalized communities, and those already struggling to afford tuition. Inspired by Ruha Benjamin’s Viral Justice, which emphasizes the power of small, intentional actions to dismantle systemic inequities, I saw an opportunity for our library to lead.

Launching a Campus-Wide Initiative

Partnering with a textbook rental company, we aimed to provide students with affordable, convenient access to required course materials. This wasn’t just about saving money; it was about fostering equity and reshaping how our institution supported learning. The journey was anything but simple, and while the initiative didn’t achieve all of its goals, it made an undeniable impact on campus culture.

A Shared Leadership Model

What made this initiative unique was the shared leadership between the library and the Office of Institutional Research and Training. Shared leadership, as highlighted in Shared Leadership in Higher Education, addresses both emotional and conceptual work. This partnership combined the library’s expertise in addressing student needs with the institutional research office’s ability to analyze data and measure impact.

The library played a critical role beyond identifying student needs. We co-led training sessions for faculty and staff on how to integrate the rental system into their workflows, provided resources to support course redesigns, and developed communication strategies to raise awareness of the program. Our collaboration extended to creating accessible tools and guides, ensuring faculty felt supported and students understood how to take advantage of the new system. By sharing responsibilities, we balanced the emotional labor of fostering buy-in with the conceptual challenges of implementing a complex initiative.

Addressing the Textbook Challenge

Textbooks had become a symbol of inequity on campus. Students’ stories painted a picture of the compromises they were forced to make: skipping meals, avoiding certain classes, or relying on outdated or incomplete materials. Faculty were often unaware of the impact their course material choices had on students. By partnering with the Office of Institutional Research and Training, we quantified these challenges, demonstrating how textbook costs affected retention and academic success.

The library’s role was pivotal in bridging these gaps. We identified high-demand courses with prohibitive textbook costs and worked with faculty to adapt their materials to align with affordable rental options. Our team developed resources to help faculty navigate this transition, including curated lists of supplementary materials and training on leveraging the rental system effectively.

Applying the CALM Framework

Communication: Building Awareness and Advocacy

One of the biggest challenges was raising awareness about the initiative and advocating for change. Faculty and administrators needed to understand how textbook rentals could alleviate financial barriers for students. We shared data from the Office of Institutional Research and Training, highlighting the correlation between textbook costs and student performance. Students’ testimonials added a personal dimension, underscoring the urgency of the issue.

The library played a key role in crafting this messaging. By leveraging our expertise in storytelling and information dissemination, we ensured that communication materials were clear, persuasive, and accessible to all stakeholders. Faculty workshops, student-focused campaigns, and targeted outreach efforts helped build momentum and support.

Adaptability: Overcoming Roadblocks

Faculty expressed concerns about the rental company’s inventory, worrying that specific titles or editions wouldn’t be available. Budget constraints and logistical hurdles also emerged, particularly in ensuring smooth implementation. We worked closely with the company to resolve these issues, adjusting rental options and prioritizing high-demand courses.

When additional training was required to address faculty concerns, the library stepped in to co-lead these efforts, providing hands-on guidance and resources to make the transition seamless. Adaptability became essential as we navigated these hurdles, keeping the initiative moving forward despite setbacks.

Learning: Growing Through Collaboration

The initiative was a learning experience for everyone involved. Faculty adjusted syllabi to align with available rentals, students learned to navigate the new system, and librarians gained insight into managing vendor relationships. The Office of Institutional Research and Training played a key role in evaluating the program’s outcomes, helping us identify areas for improvement and refine our approach.

For the library, this collaboration was an opportunity to expand our role as educators. We developed guides and hosted workshops to help students and faculty understand the benefits and mechanics of the rental system. This proactive approach helped build trust and engagement across campus.

Management: Balancing Internal and External Demands

Managing the initiative required balancing internal operations with external expectations. Faculty wanted assurance that their course materials would be available, students needed immediate access, and administrators sought metrics to justify investment. By aligning the initiative with broader institutional goals—such as improving retention and reducing financial stress for students—we built a case for its importance.

The library took a leading role in day-to-day management, coordinating efforts between the rental company, faculty, and administrative offices. By leveraging project management tools, we kept the initiative on track and ensured that all stakeholders were aligned.

Grounding the Initiative in Equity

At its core, the textbook alternative initiative was about justice. Inspired by Viral Justice, we approached every decision with an equity lens. High-demand courses with a history of high textbook costs were prioritized for rental options. Our communication strategies ensured that underrepresented students had equal access to the program, while faculty training emphasized the importance of inclusive course design. Although the initiative didn’t fully meet its goals, it raised awareness about textbook affordability and inspired continued conversations about equity on campus.

A Lasting Impact

While the initiative didn’t result in a complete transformation, it left a lasting impact. Faculty, students, and administrators now recognize the importance of addressing textbook affordability. The partnership with the textbook rental company and the Office of Institutional Research and Training sparked dialogue about other ways to reduce barriers to education. Most importantly, the initiative set the stage for future efforts to tackle systemic inequities.

Conclusion

The journey to implement a textbook alternative initiative was challenging and imperfect, but it was also rewarding. Shared leadership between the library and the Office of Institutional Research and Training not only ensured the initiative’s success but also addressed both emotional and conceptual work. By tackling the emotional labor of building trust and collaboration and the conceptual challenge of designing and implementing a complex system, we created a foundation for lasting change.

As Ruha Benjamin reminds us, justice is built one step at a time. By embracing communication, adaptability, learning, and management, library leaders can drive meaningful change while staying true to their values of equity and inclusion. This initiative is a testament to the importance of leading boldly, collaborating generously, and imagining new possibilities for libraries and higher education.