Q: Does the Library have textbooks?
A: Sometimes
The Library does not buy every textbook being used at CSUF. The Library’s mission is to support CSUF’s curriculum with supplemental resources beyond textbooks, not be a warehouse for textbooks. However, sometimes you can find your textbook-- either as a print book or e-book. To check:
► Search the library's Zero-Cost e-textbook list. The library maintains a current semester list of course textbooks that are available as library e-books
► Search the library's catalog. The Zero-Cost e-textbook list above is not inclusive of all textbooks. 
If you don't see your textbook there, then you can also try searching the library's catalog, OneSearch. Type in the title, author, or ISBN #. Be sure to review the displayed results carefully; textbooks often have varying titles or ISBN #s. Also, check the edition! Your current textbook may be the 6th edition (2023), but the library's copy may only be the 2nd edition (2003). That's a 20-year difference, and risky to study from.
► Check if your instructor put a copy on Reserve. Some instructors put a copy of the textbook on "Reserve" in the library, for short-term (usually 3-hour) use. Although this doesn't help for studying at home, it is at least an option. At OneSearch, type your instructor's name and choose the "Course Reserves" option to see if your textbook is there.
Print: If the Pollak Library does not have your textbook, other libraries might. When searching the library's OneSearch catalog (advanced search: set to "All CSU"), you can see if your textbook is available at another CSU campus library. If it is, you can borrow it directly from OneSearch, and it will be shipped here (for free) for you to pickup at the library's Circulation Desk. However, keep in mind it is not always likely your request will be successful. Other CSU libraries frequently put "local campus use only" restrictions on new textbooks. Similarly, in the WorldCat catalog, you might see your textbook available at a non-CSU library (UC campus, private university, public library). You can try requesting it as an Interlibrary Loan request, but again, it is not always likely that it will be loaned, for the same reason ("local campus use only" restrictions for new textbooks). There is also a cool browser extension—which you can add to Chrome or Firebox—that will show you all local public libraries that might have your textbook: www.libraryextension.com
Websites: There are several websites (legal, legitimate websites) that offer textbooks online as free e-textbooks. Their inventories are usually limited, so don't expect miracles. But it doesn't hurt to check. Examples are:
- Bookboon
- Openstax
- Open Textbook Library
- and 30 more websites of free e-textbooks
Public Libraries: Public libraries often have large collection of e-books, all free to read. Find your hometown public library at www.library.ca.gov/branches. However, e-books in public libraries are usually leisure reading, not academic textbooks, so highly academic/scientific textbooks are not likely.
The CSUF Titan Shops bookstore has a “Lowest Price Guarantee”: shop online sites for the lowest price…
then show that price to the bookstore and they’ll match it, PLUS give you 25% of the difference. Details are here: https://www.titanshops.com/lowest-price-guarantee
The CSUF Titan Shops bookstore offers textbook rentals on many textbooks. Renting is significantly cheaper than buying, especially if you don’t plan to keep the textbook for future reference. Details are here https://www.titanshops.com/adoption-search If the CSUF bookstore doesn’t have your textbook for rent, there are several textbook rental vendors online.
The CSUF Titan Shops bookstore offers many textbooks as e-books. E-books are cheaper than printed textbooks. You can see if the bookstore sells your textbook as an e-book here: http://www.titanshops.com/adoption-search If they don’t have your book as an e-book, the vendors below sell e-book textbooks. Warning: check the terms of e-books carefully before purchasing; many cannot be returned/refunded.
www.amazon.com/textbooks
https://play.google.com/store/books/collection/promotion_1000568_txb_product?hl=en 
www.vitalsource.com
www.textbooks.com/etextbooks.php
www.ecampus.com/etextbooks.asp
There are a growing number of online sites to buy textbooks. The following sites below are known to be legitimate search sites. When buying online, keep in mind hidden costs. You may find a low price, but shipping & processing costs might add between $5-$20 more. Also, check their return policy; will they pre-pay the return-postage if they send you the wrong edition? If not, you’re stuck with paying. This is another reason to consider the Titan Shops Lowest Price Guarantee.
www.amazon.com/textbooks - draws from its own inventory, plus 1000’s of affiliates.
www.barnesandnoble.com/b/textbooks/_/N-8q9 - likewise; its own inventory & affiliates.
www.ecampus.com - one of the largest online textbook sites; rent/buy/sell textbooks
www.textbooks.com - also large; buy/sell/rent textbooks. Free shipping on orders over $25
www.cheapesttextbooks.com - same; serves as a broker; brings you 1000’s of sellers at once
www.directtextbook.com/ - same; serves as a broker; brings you 1000’s of sellers at once
www.bigwords.com - same; serves as a broker; brings you 1000’s of sellers at once
www.slugbooks.com - same; serves as a broker; brings you 1000’s of sellers at once
www.abebooks.com/books/Textbooks/ - same; one of the largest online bookstores
www.alibris.com/books/textbooks - same; one of the largest online bookstores
www.collegebooksdirect.com - claims to only sell books in-stock (no delays/false promises)
www.cheap-textbooks.com/ - claims to offer real-time price comparisons
www.campusbooks.com/ - another buy/sell/rent site
http://fullerton.uloop.com/forsale/index.php/textbook - classifieds (use at your own risk)
All non-CSUF sites listed in this guide are for informational purpose only. CSUF & the Pollak Library do not endorse or affiliate with any of the listed non-CSUF sites. No guarantees of vendor quality or pricing are offered. As with any consumer activity, students should exercise due diligence in reviewing sites and all terms & conditions before making purchases. © CSUF August 2023 Compiled by Librarians Rob Sage & John Hickok
