![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/07\/July1.png?resize=909%2C303&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Each year, the Teaching & Learning Excellence Division (TLED) print wall calendar<\/a> is designed to inspire faculty to take a deep dive into higher education issues, and this year\u2019s edition is no different. This year\u2019s theme is \u201cEmpowering Students by Meeting Basic Needs,\u201d<\/strong> with each month in the calendar highlighting specific essential resources, showcasing how Austin Community College (ACC) and the surrounding community address twelve basic needs through:<\/p>\n Innovative curriculum integration<\/em><\/p>\n Supportive campus resources<\/em><\/p>\n Active community engagement<\/em><\/p>\n The goal of this calendar is to ensure faculty are informed about the essential resources available to students. We hope this will help create an educational environment where all students can succeed. For July, the basic need being highlighted is Textbooks.<\/i><\/span><\/p>\n We\u2019re committed to ensuring every student has the resources they need to succeed. The high cost of textbooks can present a serious barrier to student learning, especially for those navigating financial challenges alongside their academic goals. <\/span>Library Services<\/span><\/a> plays a critical role in supporting access to course materials through textbook lending, curated academic content, and open educational resources (OER). Keri Moczygemba, Dean of Library Services, shares how the department\u2019s efforts are helping students stay enrolled, engaged, and empowered:<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cLibrary Services supports student success by providing access to carefully curated materials that align with all areas of ACC\u2019s curriculum, and most are available alongside live librarian support 24\/7 online. We also collaborate with instructional faculty to identify or create open educational resources (OER) and work with departments and Student Affairs to offer select textbooks for checkout. This work is especially important at ACC, where the high cost of course materials can create real barriers to success. Ensuring access to information, textbooks, and support materials means more students can stay enrolled, engaged, and on track to reach their academic goals.\u201d<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The high cost of textbooks can be a significant barrier to learning. To alleviate this, ACC offers affordable options like rentals, used textbooks, and digital resources. Our Textbook Scholarship program provides financial assistance for eligible students who need required textbooks. The Student Advocacy Center’s Textbook Collection allows students to borrow textbooks, prioritizing those receiving assistance. We also promote Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) and Open Educational Resources (OER) classes, which use low-cost or free materials. These initiatives reduce financial strain, allowing students to use their savings for other essentials and create a more equitable and supportive educational environment.<\/span><\/p>\n According to the ACC STC\/OER Survey conducted in fall 2023, among the students enrolled in ZTC or OER classes, <\/span>67%<\/b> reported that these classes significantly impacted their ability to afford college, and <\/span>57%<\/b> used the savings for personal expenses like food and bills.<\/span><\/p>\n Discussing and addressing these needs is essential for creating an educational environment where all students can succeed. By supporting these fundamental areas, we foster a culture of care and resilience, empowering students to focus on their goals without stress from unmet needs. This calendar aims to inform faculty about these resources, allowing them to share directly with students and address these needs in their instruction.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
\n
\n
Textbooks<\/span><\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/instruction.austincc.edu\/tledupdates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/07\/July2.png?resize=774%2C258&ssl=1\")
<\/p>\nResources to Share With Your Students<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\n
\n