UT Arlington Course Textbooks Collection Policy

It is the policy of UTA Libraries not to acquire textbooks in either electronic or print forms. We define a textbook as a volume created specifically for use in a classroom environment, as described in the Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science:

An edition of a book specifically intended for the use of students who are enrolled in a course of study or preparing for an examination on a subject or in an academic discipline, as distinct from the trade edition of the same title, sometimes published in conjunction with a workbook, lab manual, and/or teacher's manual.

As a general practice, research-intensive (R1) university libraries do not routinely acquire textbooks intended primarily for classroom use. Because textbooks are typically written to support instruction in specific courses, they often duplicate content available in the library’s broader research collections and can become outdated quickly as new editions are released. Given limited collections budgets, R1 libraries prioritize the acquisition of scholarly monographs, journals, databases, and other resources that support original research and have enduring value across disciplines.

There are select other instances where UTA Libraries might acquire textbooks, specifically in cases related to grants, donations, or accreditation and compliance requirements. We recommend working with our Open Education Resources team to locate free or low-cost options for course materials.

Revised July 24, 2026