A newly proposed piece of legislation could potentially grant students in California’s higher education system access to more affordable textbooks though school libraries, both in hard copy and digitally.

On February 19, Senator Darrell Steinberg says he proposed Senate Bill 1052 and 1053 this year to “advance the use of Open Educational Resources in California public colleges and universities.” It would allow students to have free access to 50 core textbooks required for undergraduates through a digital open-source library; hard copies would be made available for around $20.

“Textbook prices have increased uncontrollably over the last decade, and it has become a burden on the wallets of students and parents throughout the state,” said Sean Richards, vice president of legislative affairs of the California State Student Association.

Senate Bill 1052 calls for the production of high-quality and affordable textbooks as well as other related materials for California universities and community colleges. It would require publishers to provide at least 3 free copies of the textbook for an individual class on reserve at the school’s library.

Senate Bill 1053 would create the California Digital Open Source Library, an online reserve of free textbooks and other materials.

“Given that the cost of a single textbook is about $100, most students don’t have the funds to pay for all of the necessary books,” said Skyline student Francesca Badiola.

The open-source database will also allow students, teachers and faculty to view the changes in textbooks between editions. They will also be able to compare prices and other factors that contribute to teachers’ decision of which textbook to use.

“Students often come to the library asking if copies of textbooks are on reserve,” said, Skyline Library Director Tom Hewitt. “Often times we don’t have them because the library doesn’t have enough within our budget.”

Sean Richards, vice president of legislative affairs, said that if everything passes without amendments, the bill will be enacted on or before January 1 of 2013.