SDCC Library: Exploring Textbook Alternatives at SDCC Library: Low Cost Textbooks (LC)

Low Cost Texts Search

Custom Search

Some new entrants to the textbook market offer students the choice of very inexpensive e-texts or low cost print versions of the same. These publishers' low cost models mean that they don't send publisher's reps to your office, so you need to investigate via publisher web sites. Usually a textbook is considered low cost if it is under $40.

This Google tool searches the sites listed in on this page. (Powered by free Google Custom search, so results may contain advertising).

Low Cost Text Publishers

The following textbook publishers employ business models that aim to keep costs low and give students a choice of options.

Business Expert Press
Offers a few hundred books on business and economics topics. Students can choose between very inexpensive e-text or reasonably priced print text. This publisher also sells library ebooks. Look carefully as there is wide variety in quality.
Carnegie Mellon Open Learning Initiative- OLI
Create an online course in OLI or just have students use the chapters for course readings. Students don't need an account to use the readings. There are courses on many STEM topics, such as anatomy & physiology, biology, chemistry, statistics, computing . . . Also languages, such as French, Spanish, Chinese, and Arabic.
Chemeketa Press
A "a nonprofit publishing endeavor at Chemeketa Community College in Salem, Oregon" produces print textbooks under $30 by using print on demand technology and financial support from the college. Currently they offer nine titles, with more in development.
Includes a Art for Everyone, World Regional Geography, college writing handbook, algebra texts, and more. The model is interesting and promising.
Cognella (formerly University Readers)
Originally, this company created texts mainly by licensing chapters and articles to create anthologies--they now also offer original works. They will also work with faculty to create custom anthologies. More expensive than some of the alternative text companies, but usually less than the big textbook companies. Since they license chapters from good publishers (such as university presses), quality is generally high.
Flatworld Knowledge
Inexpensive texts in the $25 to $40 range. Growing collection of titles across disciplines. Many have been adopted by top tier universities and some have won textbook awards.
Lumen Learning
Lumen Learning aggregates and organizes free resources (including readings and videos) into "open courses," with a table of contents much like text. "Open courses are effectively a complete textbook replacement. Each course includes a complete set of OER-based readings and sample assessments. All courses include some level of built-in video delivery and interaction." Students pay a reasonable course fee ($25 in 2020) for the Lumen-organized materials.
Momentum Press
Reasonably priced texts in print or ebook format covering topics in engineering, material science, applied science, and health administration--with plans to also publish in health science areas. Also, offers library ebooks in multiple user versions.
Orthogonal Publishing
Publishes "low-cost print editions of high-quality open-content books." Offers several mathematics textbooks.
Textbook Media Press
Offers texts for business, economics, education, english, political science, and psychology. Students can choose affordable options, including digital books, PDF version, paperback, or iPhone version.
Worldwide Center of Mathematics
Started by a mathematics professor, provides inexpensive texts with print and digital options. Subjects include calculus, algebra, statistics.