Textbook Center

Textbook Center

FAQs

Faculty FAQs

How do I obtain desk copies?
This is dependent upon your particular academic department, but usually your department coordinator orders these. If you would like to order them yourself, the Bookstore can provide contact addresses.

What if I ordered a desk copy and it hasn't arrived? What can I do?
You may borrow 1 copy of the book from the Bookstore and when your desk copy arrives, return this to the Textbook Center in Coles Tower. It must be a new book. Please be aware that your department account will be charged for all books that are not returned to the Textbook Center in a timely fashion.

Do I get a desk copy for my course packet?
Yes. You can receive a desk copy if your order is submitted by the course packet deadline.

What if I miss deadlines?
Text requests—Late orders may need to be rushed in order to assure timely arrival and the department account will be charged for the rush charges. Late orders also inhibit the ability of the Bookstore to give students the most money for their books at buyback and may reduce the ability of the Bookstore to acquire used copies of textbooks.

Course packets—All are judged on a per case basis, but due to the time consuming work of tracking down copyright permissions, late course packets may not be a possibility for that semester.

What if I cancel a book from my syllabus after it has arrived at the Bookstore?
Your department account will be charged incoming and outgoing freight on that book.

Student FAQs

Are textbooks sold at the Bookstore in the Smith Union?
No. They are sold through the Textbook Center in the basement of Coles Tower.

Can I return a textbook?
Yes, but they must be returned by the applicable date for that semester. They also must be in the same condition in which they were purchased and you must have your receipt.

Can I return a course packet?
Only if you drop the course. You must have a copy of your course schedule (which can be obtained from the Office of Student Records) and your receipt.

Why are some course packets so expensive?
The royalty charge (which is paid to the author or publisher) is sometimes very high. These fees are determined by the publisher or author and the Bookstore has no control over these prices.

What are the differences between required, suggested, and optional textbooks?
A "required" book is determined by your professor to be essential to the learning that will take place in the course. A "suggested" book may not be essential but may be used for class discussions, papers, or exams. An "optional" book is probably not essential but provides a resource for further enrichment and personal study.

What is Buyback?
Read about buyback here.