The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries has launched an on site textbook-lending program to help ease the financial burden of higher education and to ensure the academic success of students.

The Textbook Project currently includes 60 books that are needed for courses such as anatomy, biology, chemistry, economics, engineering, English literature, history, political science and trigonometry. Librarians selected the books based on 1000 and 2000-level classes that have a high drop, fail, or withdrawal rate.

This semester, available textbooks may be checked out for two-hour periods. There is no cost to students.

"We are committed to helping students get the resources they need to succeed academically and textbook lending is one way we hope to accomplish that," said Rebecca Bichel, dean of UT Arlington Libraries. "After a trial period, we will examine the results of the Textbook Project and decide whether or not to continue the program."

Before now, UT Arlington allowed students the opportunity to check out textbooks, but library administrators said it has been policy not to offer current textbooks.

Single copies of the textbooks in the new program are stored in the Reserves area of the Central Library or Science and Engineering Library in Nedderman Hall, depending on the subject. The textbooks must remain in the Library and copying is permitted. Electronic copies of textbooks are not available.

Students must present a valid MavID to a library employee to check out the books, which will be listed in the library computer catalog.

View the full list of books available through the Textbook Project at http://libguides.uta.edu/TextbookProject.

See more at: http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/10/Library-textbook-lending.php