Addressing Equity and Affordability in Digital Study Tools for STEM and the Health Sciences: Possibilities for Library Involvement

Abstract

Students in STEM and the health sciences have unique learning needs, including preparation for exams required for entering a STEM or health sciences profession. Students in these areas thus often seek, in addition to or instead of traditional course materials and library resources, digital study tools that utilize techniques such as spaced repetition. However, such tools are often sold as individual subscriptions that may be prohibitively expensive. The article outlines four approaches libraries may consider to help make digital study tools in STEM and the health sciences more equitable and affordable: assess, adopt, adapt, and create.