Does the library provide textbooks? How can I get one?
Answer
Library loaned textbooks (and other required course items) are often referred to as "course reserves."
At the CCSF Library, these are grant funded and they are made available for free as a short term loan - they are intended for sharing purposes to give multiple students in a course a chance to complete homework. They cannot be requested in advance - they are available on a first come, first served basis.
While the library attempts to obtain some copies of textbooks, we are unable to obtain all of them (and we are often not able to obtain ebook versions). It may be necessary that you purchase your textbook at the CCSF Bookstore.
How can I find out if my textbook is in the library course reserves?
- You can use OneSearch (the Library search tool) to see if the library has the item. Use the Course Reserves tab to search by Course, Instructor, or Title. If you don’t see the book for your course, librarians are available via chat 24 hours a day to double check. Start a chat on the library's homepage.
How long can I check out course reserves?
- Most course reserve items are available for 1 week checkout.
Can I keep the textbook all semester?
Usually: no. There are a handful of items from the former Associated Students (AS) Bookloan program that are available for a 1-semester checkout.
- AS Bookloan books are labeled in OneSearch with the location of Reserve Semester Book Loan.
- The AS textbook program is now a book voucher program instead.
Where can I pickup my textbooks?
- Textbooks must be picked up at the owning library. We are unable to transfer course reserve items between locations.
Does the library have my textbook as an ebook?
- Many publishers decline to make electronic versions of textbooks available in a way that libraries can lend. Usually, if an eTextbook is available, the publisher will provide digital access through a subscription directly to the student (often through purchase at a college bookstore). If an electronic copy of the text is available to the library for license, we try to obtain a copy to lend.
Can the library get my textbook?
- At times, the library has access to a grant that makes it possible to purchase 1-2 library copies of a physical textbook, provided the instructor has adopted the text with the CCSF Bookstore. If we are able to order the textbook, it may take a few weeks for the library to obtain the copy.
What if the library doesn't have my textbook?
- You can ask a librarian for help over chat on the library's homepage if you're not able to find the book -- we can double check whether we have a short-term loan copy in the library. If not, you may need to purchase or rent books from the CCSF Bookstore.
- EOPS and Associated Students may be able to help financially.