Open Educational Resources

Library-Licensed Materials (LLM)

The FAU Libraries owns or has subscriptions to many materials that range from books, eBooks, streaming videos, and more.  FAU instructors can assign these as required readings, and can provide access in their Canvas pages by embedding their permanent URL (PURL). 

Differences between Traditional OER and Library-Licensed Materials 

Traditional OER is freely and openly available, and often with Creative Commons (CC) licenses that describe the conditions of use.  Library-licensed materials generally do not have the CC licenses as traditional OER but can be used in place of commercial textbooks or readings when they are available. They can also assist with providing zero-cost readings and materials for students.

Library-licensed materials are subscription-based with terms and conditions of their use.  Unlike most OER, they are not freely available online.  Library-licensed materials, however, are available to current FAU affiliates.  They can be used as assigned or supplemental learning materials and are available to students by the first day of a course. 

Examples of Library-Licensed Materials in a Course

• Ebook:  Multiple FAU College of Nursing courses assign Caring in Nursing Classics (2013) for required readings.  
• Streaming Video:  A communications instructor who is teaching a course on poverty and childhood assigned Barry Jenkin's Moonlight (2016) for a viewing, followed by discussion and an assigned essay.  This feature film was available during the semester of his course.
• Journal Article:  A chemistry professor assigned "The life-cycle of your manuscript: From submission to publication" (Chaitow, 2019) to graduate students to introduce them to norms of submitting manuscripts for publication and the peer-review process.

Availability of Materials

Not all books or videos may be available or can be purchased by the FAU Libraries as library-licensed materials.  Their availability can vary for the following reasons:

• The business practices of distributors and publishers who provide materials to the Libraries.  The cost of some ebooks or streaming videos can be prohibitively high, while some are not available in online versions.  
• The Libraries have limits in what they can purchase and from which companies.  For instance, we cannot buy certain formats such as Kindle eBooks and are unable to purchase materials from some providers. 

Contact your library liaison who can assist with identifying availability and your options.

Best Practices for Using Library-Licensed Materials

1.  Check the FAU Library Catalog for the availability of materials during the term of your course.  Due to licensing terms and conditions, restrictions may apply:

• Some eBooks may have restrictions on numbers of simultaneous users (1 to 3 users at a time, or unlimited users).
• Streaming videos may only be available for a limited term (1 year).

2.  Embed its durable or permanent URL (PURL) in your Canvas page.  Instead of using the web address in your web browser for a source, look for its PURL.  The PURL will work while the web browser address may work only for the time you viewed it.

For more guidance on embedding LLMs into your Canvas page, see Faculty Resources and Services Guide - Link to Resources.

3.  Consult with your library liaison if you need assistance.  Your departmental librarian can assist or identify your options with the following:

• See if unlimited simultaneous user access is available for an eBook.
• Extend availability for a streaming video.
• Identify library materials or other OER that can be used in your course.

Search the FAU Libraries Collections

Contact Your Liaison or Get Help

Did you know the FAU Libraries has its own digital collections?  Use materials from these collections as assigned or supplemental readings.