Silliman Textbook Library (SMTL)

a bookshelf and a table with a book on the table

The Silliman Textbook Library (SMTL) is an initiative created by Silliman students to combat educational inequity on Yale’s campus. The SMTL was founded due to the fact that textbooks and other educational resources often are prohibitively expensive for many students, especially those of first generation and low-income (FGLI) backgrounds. On top of the increasing costs of a college education, affording textbooks can heighten financial and academic stress for some students. Such inequity can affect students’ course choices, the development of career skills, intellectual exploration, test preparation, and a host of other important opportunities. 

In its inaugural year (the 2017-2018 school year), the SMTL collected over 600 donations from Yale students and faculty. A majority of donations came from the local Silliman community.  The donations were compiled and  entered into  a database, aptly called the Silliman Textbook Library Database (Short Link: goo.gl/tTbzmV). Students can check the contents of the SMTL remotely by accessing the Database and then use the  donated textbooks during  visits to the  Library space.  Currently, the SMTL holds almost 3000 donations in total.

The Silliman Textbook Library is located in the backroom of the Silliman Library, on the 3rd floor of Byers Hall, one floor above the Silliman Dining Hall. Books may only be used inside the Silliman Library space and cannot be removed. 

SMTL Database (Short Link)

two people posing in front of a book shelf

Books are organized in the SMTL alphabetically by author last name. You also will find department codes (e.g. ECON for economics or PLSC for political science) on the spine of the book when course information is given by the book donor. Once in the database, students can find textbooks by using the “Command-F” or “Control-F” function and typing in the title or author.  Then scroll to the course information section to find which course is associated with the book. 

If the SMTL Does Not Have A Book You Need

  1. Reach out to your Professor/TFs. While your Professor/TFs might not be able to give you a copy of the book for the class, they might be able to donate a copy to the SMTL for communal use. 
  2. Ask the Silliman Textbook Library Coordinator. Email the Silliman Textbook Library Coordinator (smaide.yale@gmail.com) and they will try to find a copy of the book for the Textbook Library. 

Textbook Library Rules of Use

  1. The Silliman Textbook Library is located in the backroom of the Silliman Library and is open 24/7 for use by students. 
  2. Please do not take any of the books outside of the Silliman Library. Unfortunately, we do not have the ability to track books that are removed from the Library. Please reach out to the textbook library coordinator if you have any questions or concerns.
  3. Please do not steal books from the Library. Stealing books from the Textbook Library is really unfair to other students, especially those who struggle to afford educational materials.
  4. Please put books back where you found them. Books are organized in the Textbook Library according to author last name. Please put any book you are using back in its place so other students can find them easily.
  5. Please do not damage books. Similar to the above rule about stealing, do not write in, damage, or otherwise misuse the Silliman Textbook Library’s books.
  6. Make the most of the Silliman Textbook Library! Take pictures of problems, diagrams, or passages if you need to reference them outside of the Library. Consider scanning on your phone! For iPhones, the Notes app can scan pages of textbooks. For Androids, there are a number of applications that do this, including TinyScanner and Clear Scanner.

How to Donate to the Silliman Textbook Library

  1. Head to the Silliman Head of College Office. Bring your textbooks with you!
  2. Let the college aide know that you’d like to donate a book. The college aide will collect information  about you as a donor (your name, college, year) as well as some information about your donation. This information will go straight into our database so that they become readily available. 
  3. You will be given a reward after handing over your textbook. You can choose from either a Silliman Buttery or a Silliman Acorn Cafe credit!

Please email any and all questions about the Silliman Textbook Library to the Silliman Senior Administrative Assistant at deanna.brunson@yale.edu .