Pfau Library Services During Campus Closure: Textbooks: Student Information
DOES THE LIBRARY HAVE MY TEXTBOOK?
First, check your online course to see if your professor has provided a convenient link to an e-textbook in the library. If you do not find one, then check the library's Course Reserves service for both print and e-textbooks using either the dedicated Course Reserves List link or the OneSearch option below.
SEARCH BY CLASS ABBREVIATION & NUMBER OR PROFESSOR'S LAST NAME
- Course Reserves ListThe library's Course Reserves service may have your textbook whether it is in print or online. This is a searchable list of all our Course Reserves. Search by the course (example: CHEM 3230) or by your professor's last name (example: Delaney).
OR SEARCH BY TITLE
- Course Reserves from OneSearch This link opens in a new windowSearching for your textbook by its title will also bring up any older editions of the same textbook. Check the publication date to be sure you are looking at the right one.
Is the Textbook Online or in Print?
1. This textbook is online. Click on the title of the textbook. On the next screen, click the name of the database (Available online at: Name of Database).
2. This textbook is in print. It has a call number. In the example above, the call number is ZA4230 .N63 2018. Due to COVID-19, Course Reserves textbooks in print are not currently available for check out.
So
- If you do not find your textbook OR
- If it is only available in print, not online.
Contact your professor. They may be able to upload limited scans into your online course. The library can help them with this; point them to Textbooks - Faculty Information for a link to the request form.
Why Aren't All Textbooks Online?
The simple truth is that many textbook publishers do not sell digital textbooks to libraries.
CAN I BORROW PHYSICAL BOOKS IN COURSE RESERVES?
Course Reserves print books are subject to quarantining after they are returned.
If you find a copy of your textbook in OneSearch and it is not on Course Reserves (for example, an older edition or a second copy), you can request it for pickup.
ALSO USEFUL
- How to Read a TextbookA four-step method for reading a textbook with greater attention, with build-in note taking and test preparation. Never read a chapter more than once.
- Ebooks at Pfau LibraryHow ebooks from Pfau Library work, including download options. Includes the video tutorial, Ebook Walk-Through.
- Doing Your Research from HomeThis Library Guide will give you all the basics needed to successfully do your research from home.
- Zoom Video Conferencing at CSUSBBasic information to get you started using Zoom.
PFAU LIBRARY & TEXTBOOKS
The Pfau Library makes every effort to obtain your textbook, as funding allows. During the pandemic campus closure, if we knew a book was a required textbook, and there was a viable option to purchase an electronic edition of it, we purchased it. Some publishers will not sell e-textbooks to libraries. In those cases it is not possible for the library to purchase the e-textbook.
In the past, we have purchased print textbooks as well. Normally, these are placed on Course Reserves and are available for 2-hour check out. During the pandemic, print textbooks placed on Course Reserves are available for limited scanning at the instructor’s request but are not available for check out.
