Accessing Textbooks during Remote Learning

Check out our COVID-19 free textbooks guide

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak and the widespread transition to online learning, many publishers and information resource providers are temporarily making their offerings available to students and faculty free of charge. You can find these resources on one of the AL$ guide pages.

Look for Class Search icons to identify courses with affordable course materials

Did you know that Class Search uses icons to indicate which classes have zero-cost or low-cost course materials? This can help you select affordable courses and budget for textbook costs as you register for classes. You can even use search filters to only see zero-cost and low-cost courses. Keep an eye out for these icons in Class Search:

Zero Cost Course Materials

Low Cost Course Materials ($50 or Less)

 

 

CSUN Library Resources

Course Reserves

Some instructors will put electronic textbooks on reserve at the Library to make course materials accessible to students. You can search course reserves for your textbooks by instructor, course number, or book title. 

Quick tip: If your instructors have not put online textbooks on reserve, please reach out to him/her or fill out this student reserves request form.

 

Online Textbooks

Search for textbooks & ebooks in the library catalog using OneSearch by applying the search filter "Available Online at CSUN"

 

CSU+

If CSUN doesn't have your textbook, you may be able to borrow it for 30-60 days from another CSU campus. Just make sure to set the dropdown in OneSearch to "All CSU Libraries".

 

Check out these video tutorials if you're unsure about how to do any of these things!

 

 

Other Textbook Resources

Price Match at CSUN Campus Store

If you find a lower textbook price on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or a local campus competitor, the Campus Store will match it within 7 days of your original purchase date. Learn more about the Campus Store's Price Match Program Links to an external site..

 

Used and Low-Cost Textbooks

SJSU's Resources for Used and Low-Cost Textbooks Links to an external site. section has lots of great resources to help you locate textbooks at reduced prices. 

 

Other Tips

• Get the syllabi of your selected courses as soon as possible to allow for enough time to search for affordable textbook options
  
  
• Let your professors know if you have trouble accessing their course materials – they want you to succeed!
  • Your professor may be able to ask a librarian to digitize portions of textbooks, purchase an “unlimited use” ebook using existing library funds for reserve materials, or provide links to existing library digital resources
  • You can always ask your professors to put a textbook on reserve! Fill out this form to submit an anonymous course reserves request.