OER materials can be used without needing to ask the author for permission. This saves time and facilitates reuse: Instead of creating all teaching contents, exercise sheets, or exam questions themselves, instructors can use and adapt existing materials for their teaching scenarios. Students can use the free and open educational materials for self-study and deepen their knowledge individually. In this way, both interdisciplinary academic exchange and lifelong learning are promoted. Additionally, teaching materials that have been edited, expanded, or updated by colleagues from the field have a higher quality, which in turn benefits the reputation of the university.

The library's e-learning team offers individual consultations for the creation and provision of OER materials. Trainings on this topic are also offered at irregular intervals, usually being announced through the university's mailing list.

For financial support for the creation of free educational materials, you can apply for funding from the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) and the Digital University NRW (DH.NRW). Once there are calls for proposals, these will be forwarded through the university's mailing list. Additionally, you can also receive further financial support at H-BRS through the funding programs of ZIEL (Centre for Teaching Development and Innovation).