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Open Textbook Library
What it is
Open Textbook Library is a free web catalog that helps faculty find open textbooks in one place. Its collection lists 1,887 books, searchable and browsable by subject. Textbooks can be used and distributed at no cost, and adapted with proper attribution under their individual licenses. Each included book must be available as a complete portable file, such as PDF or EPUB, although authors or publishers choose the formats offered. Books must support a quarter- or semester-length course and meet criteria covering open licensing, availability, institutional use or affiliation, and originality. The library says around 70% of its books have been reviewed, with faculty reviews invited through Open Education Network member institutions. Accessibility varies by title; a VPAT is available and MARC records include accessibility metadata. The collection is discoverable through WorldCat and Ex Libris Alma Community Zone, with monthly updates. Data access includes MARC records, CSV, a JSON API, and RSS or Atom feeds. Records are public domain under CC0.
For and against
For
- 1,887 open textbooks listed
- Search and browse by subject
- Books can be adapted with attribution
- PDF or EPUB availability required
- MARC, CSV, JSON, and feed access
Against
- Accessibility varies by individual book
- Around 30% of books lack listed reviews
- No instructor copies are provided
- Authors choose available download formats
The verdict
Open Textbook Library offers a broad, no-cost directory for finding and reusing course books. Faculty should review each title’s license, accessibility, and available formats before adoption.
Who it suits
The library suits faculty and institutions seeking openly licensed textbooks for course adoption. It is also useful for catalogs and applications that consume its metadata feeds or API.
Plans and prices
Free
Open textbooks can be downloaded, printed, adopted, and adapted according to their licenses at no cost
Read 9 Oct 2026 · open.umn.edu
On the record
- Accessibility
- A VPAT is available, and accessibility varies by book; the library says its MARC records include accessibility metadata.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Catalog integrations
- The collection is discoverable through WorldCat and Ex Libris Alma Community Zone, with monthly updates to both.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Collection
- The homepage states that the library offers 1,887 open textbooks.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Data access
- The library provides MARC records, a CSV file, a JSON API, and RSS or Atom feeds.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Download formats
- Each included textbook must be available as a complete portable file, such as PDF or EPUB, while the author or publisher chooses which formats to provide.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Eligibility
- Books must support a quarter or semester course and meet the library's criteria for open licensing, availability, institutional use or affiliation, and originality.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Limits
- The library does not provide instructor copies, and instructors must check with authors or publishers about ancillary materials.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Open use
- Library textbooks are free to use and distribute, and may be adapted with proper attribution under their licenses.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The library is a referatory that helps faculty find open textbooks in one place.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Record license
- Open Textbook Library records are in the public domain and available under a Creative Commons CC0 license.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Review coverage
- The library says around 70% of its books have been reviewed, with faculty reviews invited through Open Education Network member institutions.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Search and browse
- The site provides textbook search and browsing by subject.open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- The FAQ directs questions to [email protected].open.umn.edu · read 9 Oct 2026
