How to Find Textbooks

• If you only need a textbook for a term, renting can be a less expensive option than buying. However, consider your options carefully to ensure purchasing or renting is the best move for you.
• If you consider purchasing, positives include:
  • You can keep your books for future classes or for your career;
  • You can write, highlight and take notes in a book you purchase;
  • You may be able to buy a used copy of a book or a digital copy of a book to save money;
  • You can sell back/return your books at the end of the term, which you can learn more about here.
• If you consider purchasing, cons include:
  • Purchasing is often the most expensive option;
  • You will not get a full refund if you sell back your books;
  • You will need to store your books if you decide to keep them.
• If you consider renting, positives include:
  • Renting is often the least expensive option;
  • You can easily return your book at the end of the term.
• If you consider renting, cons include:
  • Rentals often don't include access codes. Check to make sure you don't need the supplementary online materials before renting.
  • You can’t mark up the book while you’re reading it;
  • You can be charged fees if the book is not returned in a similar condition as when you received it;
  • Consider the time period you’re allowed to rent the book in case you need to return it before you have completed finals.

• In Class Search, click the linked class name to see more details about the class, including fees (for digital course materials) and a link to the bookstore, where you can find textbook costs, if applicable. Some classes have no course materials, offer free materials, or use materials that cost less than $50.
• Check COCC’s Barber Library’s catalog to see if the library has copies of your required books on physical Course Reserves or in the library’s print or e-book collections. Learn more about course reserves.

• Search by ISBN to find your textbooks. Searching by title, author, and year of publication will give you results, but publishers often offer different configurations and bundles of textbooks. Searching by ISBN will make sure you get the specific version of the textbook you need.

• Shop around using price comparison tools like www.cheapesttextbooks.com or www.addall.com to find the best deal. Remember to factor shipping fees and buyback value into the total cost.
• Be sure you know if you need access codes for online courseware. Used books usually do not include these access codes, so factor that into your price comparison.
• When you search for your textbooks at the COCC Bookstore, look for the price comparison feature for each textbook.

• Buy used when possible. Used books can save you at least 25% off the cost of a new textbook.
• However, be aware that some classes require access codes or software that is bundled with new textbooks. Check with your instructor to see if you need accompanying materials in addition to the textbook.
• Consider buying an older edition of your textbook. Before the term starts, email your instructor to see if you can use an older edition, which is often cheaper.

• E-books may be less expensive than print texts, but be sure you know if you are buying the digital book or subscribing to it for a limited time period.
• E-books may have the additional benefit of being searchable, and they may have options to add comments, create bookmarks, and access additional online materials.
• Some of the drawbacks include online-only access, restrictions on printing, no resale value, and an expiration date on access.

1. First, find your class schedule on your Bobcat account.
   1. Login to your Bobcat Web Account.
   2. Click ‘Student Services and Financial Aid.’
   3. Click ‘Registration’ and then ‘Student Schedule.’
   4. Select the appropriate term to look at your class schedule.
2. Go to the bookstore website, http://bookstore.cocc.edu/Home.
   1. Select ‘Textbooks,’ and then ‘Compare Pricing & Order.’
   2. Select ‘Click Here to Order Your Textbooks Now!’
   3. Choose Department (example MTH) and then select the correct course number and CRN (from your course schedule as described above).

For more detailed instructions, see How to Order Course Materials Online.

• If you need accessible reading materials as an accommodation for a disability, regardless of whether you're looking to rent or buy, contact the Office of Disabilities to get the help and technology you need.

• First consider if renting is an option for you. You can learn more about the differences between purchasing and renting.
• Second, consider if the library provides access to your textbooks, either in the collection or through course reserves.

• If you only need a textbook for a term, renting can be a less expensive option than buying. However, consider your options carefully to ensure purchasing or renting is the best move for you.
• If you consider purchasing, positives include:
  • You can keep your books for future classes or for your career;
  • You can write, highlight and take notes in a book you purchase;
  • You may be able to buy a used copy of a book or a digital copy of a book to save money;
  • You can sell back/return your books at the end of the term, which you can learn more about here.
• If you consider purchasing, cons include:
  • Purchasing is often the most expensive option;
  • You will not get a full refund if you sell back your books;
  • You will need to store your books if you decide to keep them.
• If you consider renting, positives include:
  • Renting is often the least expensive option;
  • You can easily return your book at the end of the term.
• If you consider renting, cons include:
  • Rentals often don't include access codes. Check to make sure you don't need the supplementary online materials before renting.
  • You can’t mark up the book while you’re reading it;
  • You can be charged fees if the book is not returned in a similar condition as when you received it;
  • Consider the time period you’re allowed to rent the book in case you need to return it before you have completed finals.

• In Class Search, click the linked class name to see more details about the class, including fees (for digital course materials) and a link to the bookstore, where you can find textbook costs, if applicable. Some classes have no course materials, offer free materials, or use materials that cost less than $50.
• Check COCC’s Barber Library’s catalog to see if the library has copies of your required books on physical Course Reserves or in the library’s print or e-book collections. Learn more about course reserves.

• Search by ISBN to find your textbooks. Searching by title, author, and/or year of publication will give you results, but publishers often offer different configurations and bundles of textbooks. Searching by ISBN will make sure you get the unique version of the textbook you need.

• Other websites offering rental options:
  • eCampus
  • CampusBooks
  • Chegg Books
  • TextbookRentals.com

• If you need accessible reading materials as an accommodation for a disability, regardless of whether you're looking to rent or buy, contact the Office of Disabilities to get the help and technology you need.

• First consider if renting is an option for you. You can learn more about the differences between purchasing and renting here.
• Second, consider if the library provides access to your textbooks, either in the collection, or through course reserves.

• Contact COCC’s Foundation and/or Financial Aid to determine if you have a scholarship to pay for your books.
• To purchase your books with a scholarship, follow these instructions:
1. Create a customer account at the COCC bookstore website, http://bookstore.cocc.edu/Home, under “My Account.”
2. Log into your account and order your course materials. Note that you must be logged into your account to be able to access Financial Aid as a payment type.
3. At check out, choose Financial Aid as the tender, and then use your 820 number as the account number. This process works regardless of where the funding for bookstore credit comes from.
• You can always check your Bobcat account to see if you have bookstore credit available.

For more detailed instructions, see Using Bookstore Credit Through the COCC Bookstore Website.

• Contact COCC’s Foundation and/or Financial Aid to determine if you have a scholarship to pay for your books.
• To purchase your books with a financial aid, follow these instructions:
1. Create a customer account at the COCC bookstore website, http://bookstore.cocc.edu/Home, under “My Account.”
2. Log into your account and order your course materials. Note that you must be logged into your account to be able to access Financial Aid as a payment type.
3. At check out, choose Financial Aid as the tender, and then use your 820 number as the account number. This process works regardless of where the funding for bookstore credit comes from.
• You can always check your Bobcat account to see if you have bookstore credit available.

For more detailed instructions, see Using Bookstore Credit Through the COCC Bookstore Website.

• Contact COCC’s Foundation and/or Financial Aid to determine if you have a scholarship or financial aid options to pay for your books.
• Visit Help for Students in Need for additional financial resources.
• Check your Bobcat account to see if you have bookstore credit available.

• If your textbook was listed in the course schedule as "inclusive access," you paid for your textbook with course fees, and you should have access through Canvas on the first day of class. Ask your instructor if it’s unclear.
• If you purchased digital content from the bookstore, you’ll access it from your My Account page on the Bookstore website. The default login information is your COCC email address and your 820 number as your password. How you redeem your textbooks depends on the publisher of the material.
• For help with accessing content from specific publishers or vendors (e.g., Cengage, Redshift or Vitalsource), go to the Bookstore website and click on the "Textbooks" drop down menu to find instructions.

• E-books may be less expensive than print texts, but be sure you know if you are buying the digital book or subscribing to it for a limited time period.
• E-books may have the additional benefit of being searchable, and they may have options to add comments, create bookmarks, and access additional online materials.
• Some of the drawbacks include online-only access, restrictions on printing, no resale value, and an expiration date on access.

• Sometimes digital textbooks have publisher-set printing limits on the number of pages available to print or restrictions on printing altogether. To determine if your digital textbook can be printed, contact our librarian Kirsten Hostetler.
• If an instructor is using a digital resource that is licensed as an Open Education Resource (OER) textbook, physical copies can be ordered through the COCC Bookstore or you may contact our librarian Kirsten Hostetler for other printing options.

• If you need accessible reading materials as an accommodation for a disability, regardless of whether you're looking to rent or buy, contact the Office of Disabilities to get the help and technology you need.

• In Class Search, click the linked class name to see more details about the class, including fees (for digital course materials) and a link to the bookstore, where you can find textbook costs, if applicable. Some classes have no course materials, offer free materials, or use materials that cost less than $50.
• Check COCC’s Barber Library’s catalog to see if the library has copies of your required books on physical Course Reserves or in the library’s print or e-book collections. Learn more about course reserves.

• Check COCC’s Barber Library’s catalog to see if the library has copies of your required books by searching for the ISBN. If you’re unable to find copies in the library catalog, check the library’s Summit and Interlibrary Loan services to see if you can borrow course materials from partner institutions. Note, however, that libraries in general do not purchase textbooks, so it may be difficult to locate a copy of your text locally or via other partner libraries. For assistance with locating items or requesting materials through Summit or Interlibrary Loan, email a librarian.
• If your textbook is not available through any of these options at the library, check the library’s Course Reserves.

• Course Reserves are items your instructor has made available for you to use in your course. Keep in mind that other students have access to Course Reserves as well, so you should think ahead about when you will need the textbook to complete assignments; in other words, don’t wait until the last minute because the book might not be there when you need it!
• Search for Course Reserves in the COCC’s Barber Library’s catalog. If you are unable to find your textbook, ask your instructor to put a copy on Course Reserves. Often, instructors are able to get free copies of textbooks they can make available through the library and might not be aware of this service.
• For assistance with locating Course Reserve items, email a librarian.

• Consider if it is realistic or desirable to share a textbook with a classmate. Consider factors such as how to split the expense, how to coordinate its use, and what to do with the textbook once you are done with it.

• Shop around using price comparison tools like www.cheapesttextbooks.com or www.addall.com to find the best deal. Remember to factor shipping fees and buyback value into the total cost.
• Be sure you know if you need access codes for online courseware. Used books usually do not include these access codes, so factor that into your price comparison.
• When you search for your textbooks at the COCC Bookstore, look for the price comparison feature for each textbook.

• Buy used when possible. Used books can save you at least 25% off the cost of a new textbook.
• However, be aware that some classes require access codes or software that is bundled with new textbooks. Check with your instructor to see if you need accompanying materials in addition to the textbook.
• Consider buying an older edition of your textbook. Before the term starts, email your instructor to see if you can use an older edition, which is often cheaper.

• E-books may be less expensive than print texts, but be sure you know if you are buying the digital book or subscribing to it for a limited time period.
• E-books may have the additional benefit of being searchable, and they may have options to add comments, create bookmarks, and access additional online materials.
• Some of the drawbacks include online-only access, restrictions on printing, no resale value, and an expiration date on access.

• If you only need a textbook for a term, renting can be a less expensive option than buying. However, consider your options carefully to ensure purchasing or renting is the best move for you.
• If you consider purchasing, positives include:
  • You can keep your books for future classes or for your career;
  • You can write, highlight and take notes in a book you purchase;
  • You may be able to buy a used copy of a book or a digital copy of a book to save money;
  • You can sell back/return your books at the end of the term, which you can learn more about here.
• If you consider purchasing, cons include:
  • Purchasing is often the most expensive option;
  • You will not get a full refund if you sell back your books;
  • You will need to store your books if you decide to keep them.
• If you consider renting, positives include:
  • Renting is often the least expensive option;
  • You can easily return your book at the end of the term.
• If you consider renting, cons include:
  • Rentals often don't include access codes. Check to make sure you don't need the supplementary online materials before renting.
  • You can’t mark up the book while you’re reading it;
  • You can be charged fees if the book is not returned in a similar condition as when you received it;
  • Consider the time period you’re allowed to rent the book in case you need to return it before you have completed finals.

• Textbook affordability is an issue affecting many students. OpenOregon is an organization dedicated to promoting textbook affordability for community college and university students, and facilitating widespread adoption of open, low-cost, high-quality materials.
• COCC works closely with OpenOregon to increase access for our students. If you’d like to advocate for lower textbook costs, contact our librarian Kirsten Hostetler for current efforts and opportunities to be involved.

• Use the COCC Bookstore's online service.
• You can also explore other online buyback services, such as Bookfinder or Chegg. When using these websites, watch for possible shipping expenses and hidden fees.

• At the end of the term, the COCC Bookstore offers students an option to sell back their books through a third-party vendor. Be aware, you will not get the full price when selling back textbooks.
• For full details, see the COCC Bookstore's buy back page.