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K-State Today

November 4, 2014

K-State First partners with New Prairie Press to bring students free, online textbook

Submitted by Kylie Kinley

The cover of The K-State First Guide to College Student Success

Keeping college affordable has just gotten a little easier with a new free online textbook from K-State First and New Prairie Press.

"New Prairie Press, the publishing arm of Kansas State University Libraries, is delighted to welcome 'The K-State First Guide to College Student Success' to our New Prairie Press home," said Charlene Simser, coordinator of electronic publishing for New Prairie Press. "We are committed to providing quality e-books as well as journals and conference publications to students, scholars, researchers and the public worldwide."

"The K-State First Guide to College Student Success: The Essentials for First-Year Students at Kansas State University" is a tool for students navigating the challenges of their first-year of college and for faculty wanting to provide students with a K-State-tailored guide for success in the classroom.

"I'm really excited that we were able to offer a quality student success book at no cost," said Tara Coleman, Web services librarian and associate professor. "I know how expensive it is to buy textbooks and want to do whatever I can to make students' first year a smooth one."

The book describes K-State history and traditions for students who want to brush up on their Wabash or on K-State's student-centered focus. Other sections detail proper classroom etiquette and the essentials of a professional email, health and wellness resources, advice about making the transition to college-level writing, and information about financial responsibility.

Sections on the K-State Book Network common reading program and ways to cultivate critical thinking and information literacy round out the guide.

"The K-State First textbook project is a wonderful example of a collaboration between academics and student life," said Emily Lehning, assistant vice president of student life. "We are able to provide an important resource that helps students be successful and we save them money by offering the textbook in the digital and open format."

Publication of "The K-State First Guide to College Student Success" was funded in part by the Kansas State University open/alternative textbook initiative, which is supported through Student Centered Tuition Enhancement Funds and K-State Libraries.

Kansas State University faculty members interested in publishing book-length scholarly works through New Prairie Press are encouraged to contact nppress@k-state.edu for more information.