When it comes to the price of college, often times the cost of textbook seems to be a hot button issue for students.

Thanks to an effort from one of Cleveland State’s own, the idea of textbook affordability has taken center stage.

Performing Arts and Humanities Librarian Mandi Goodsett has been at CSU since 2017, having completed her undergraduate degree in Wisconsin, studying music and English. While she wasn't initially sure what she wanted to do after graduation, she spent some time working in the campus library and quickly realized that it was a great fit.

“I went to library school at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and absolutely loved it. There are so many values of librarianship that resonate for me — commitment to equity, intellectual freedom, access to information, and information literacy,” she said. “I feel so lucky to have the opportunity every day to teach students information literacy skills that will help them contribute to their communities, make evidence-based decisions, and succeed in whatever path they take after CSU.”

Her passion for putting the students first when it comes to the rising costs of textbooks came in 2017, when Michael Schwartz Library director Glenda Thornton introduced her to the idea of textbook affordability. She observes that many library staff members are acutely aware of the challenges of textbook costs due to students often coming into the library to try and access the textbooks because of the pricing. 

“It's so heartbreaking when we can’t find a copy for them and they're basically out of options,” said Goodsett. “The more I learn about the financial and academic barriers that textbook costs can present, the more I want to do what I can make access to course materials more equitable for our students.”

The Michael Schwartz Library -- in partnership with other campus departments, faculty, and administrators -- has made a lot of progress towards making textbooks more affordable for students. For example, since 2018 the library has been offering Textbook Affordability Grants to support faculty in their transition from expensive commercial textbooks to free or library-licensed materials. The library calculates that these grants have saved students over $2 million. 

In addition, the library offers a Textbook Center with some required textbooks available for students to check out for two hours at a time. “For a student that simply cannot afford the textbook,” says Goodsett, “access to their book for two hours can be a game changer.”

Moving forward, Goodsett hopes that CSU can explore creating Z-Degrees, or zero-textbook-cost degree pathways. These pathways would allow students to complete entire degree programs without paying anything for their textbooks. 

ACADEMIC LIBRARY ASSOCIATION OF OHIO (ALAO) JAY LADD SERVICE AWARD

The award recognizes an individual who has been an ALAO member for at least five years, and who has promoted academic libraries and librarianship not only on campus, but within the state. The award also recognizes an individual who has provided leadership in promotion of ALAO through service such as committee membership, executive board office or interest group office, according to its website.

The award is named for Jay Ladd, a former Ohio State University librarian who was instrumental in forming the ALAO. 

Goodsett was the recipient of 2024.

“I was so surprised and honored to receive the ALAO Jay Ladd Service Award! The Academic Library Association of Ohio is my professional home, and it's made up of some of the most caring, committed, and talented librarians in the world,” she said. “I had fun celebrating with colleagues at the ALAO Conference last fall, when they gave out the award — after I got over the shock!”

With it being National Literature Month, the story would be lacking if the CSU Poetry Center was not mentioned, which recently celebrated 60 years. Goodsett explained that it is a very integral part of the campus.

“The CSU Poetry Center is absolutely amazing and a gem on campus. The directors, Caryl Pagel and Hilary Plum, have built the center and its publications into a nationally recognized triumph,” said Goodsett. “We are so fortunate to have the Poetry Center in our space in the library, as a partner and a reminder of the importance of poetry as a way to explore the human experience.”

Goodsett encouraged students to visit the reading area outside the Poetry Center and enjoy the library’s robust poetry collection.

As she continues to strive to give the students only the best when it comes to affordability of textbooks, Goodsett is quick to point out how grateful she is to have fellow co-workers who feel the same passion as she does.

She was also quick to shoutout those whom she works with and share the same passion for textbook savings and serving students overall.

“I am so thankful to CSU administrators and faculty for their hard work to make textbook costs more affordable for students over the years,” she said. “Because we have such a strong student-centered culture here at CSU, I think we are a state leader in this area. There's more to do, but we have made a lot of progress on textbook equity!”