Affordable Course Materials

📘 How to Find Your Required Textbooks

To locate the textbooks you need for your courses, follow these steps:

1. Log on to Ursa.
2. Under “Student Applications,” click on “My Textbooks.”
3. Select the correct semester and click “Run.”
4. Click on the CRN for each course to view:
   • Required and recommended textbooks
   • Titles, editions, authors, and ISBNs
   • Whether an access code is required (access codes cannot be rented or purchased used).

✅ Keep track of this information to ensure you purchase the correct materials!

📚 Search the UNC Library Catalog

Follow these steps to check if the UNC Library has the books you need:

1. Go to the University Libraries.
2. Click on “Catalog.”
3. Enter the title or ISBN of the book you're looking for.
4. If the library has the book and it’s available:
   • Click “Request it” to hold it for pick-up at the Michener information desk.
   • Or locate it yourself on the shelf and check it out.

🗺️ Finding Books:

• Call numbers starting with A-F: 2nd floor of Michener Library.
• Call numbers starting with G-Z: 3rd floor of Michener Library.
• Call numbers starting with M: Skinner Music Library, Central Campus.

🎥 Check out our YouTube video on how to search the catalog!

🌍 Borrow Books from Other Colorado Libraries

If the UNC Library doesn’t have the book you need, you can borrow it from other libraries in Colorado using Prospector.

1. Go to the University Libraries website.
2. Click on “Catalog.”
3. Enter the title or ISBN of the book you’re looking for.
4. If the book is not available in the UNC Library:
   • Use the “Prospector” search option to expand your search to other Colorado libraries.
   • If you find the book in another library, click “Request It” to have it delivered to the Michener Library for pick-up.

📖 Finding Books Locally: If you’d prefer to pick up the book yourself, you can visit the library where the book is located and check it out directly.

📘 Access Course Reserves for Free

Instructors sometimes place books or chapters on reserve for their courses. Here’s how you can access these materials:

1. Go to the Libraries site.
2. Click on “Reserves.”
3. Search using one of the following:
   • Type the course abbreviation and number (e.g., UNIV 101) in the first box.
   • Or type the instructor’s name in the second box.
4. If the item on reserve is electronic, you can download it directly.
5. If there is a physical book on reserve:
   • Note the title of the item and the course number.
   • Go to the information desk in Michener Library (or Skinner Library for music materials) to check out the book.
   • The loan period (e.g., 2 hours to 7 days) depends on your professor’s decision.

📚 Get More Resources on Reserve or Use Older Editions

Not seeing the book you need on reserve? Here’s how you can take action:

1. Request the instructor to put the book on reserve: Sometimes instructors are willing to place a hard copy of the book or an electronic copy of chapters on reserve at the library. It’s always worth asking politely.
2. Ask about using an older edition: If your instructor is OK with it, older editions of textbooks are often cheaper or easier to find.

Below is a sample email you can use to ask your instructor about reserves or older editions:

📖 Save Money by Sharing Books

Textbooks can be expensive, but teaming up with classmates to share books is a smart way to save money. Here’s why sharing textbooks can be a win-win:

• Save Costs: Splitting the cost of a textbook makes it more affordable for everyone.
• Encourage Collaboration: Sharing books opens opportunities for group study and collaborative learning.
• Reduce Waste: Sharing textbooks is an eco-friendly option that minimizes paper usage.
• Access to Multiple Resources: Sharing different editions or related materials with classmates enhances learning.
• Build Relationships: It’s a great way to bond with classmates and create a supportive network for the course.

To make sharing effective, set clear rules about:

1. Who will keep the book when not in use.
2. How to schedule sharing for assignments or exams.
3. Returning the book in good condition.

💸 Rent Instead of Buying

Renting textbooks can save you a lot of money compared to buying new books. Here are two great options near campus:

• UNC Bookstore: Located on the lower level of the University Center, the UNC Bookstore offers affordable rental options for most textbooks.
• Textbook Brokers: Conveniently located at 807 17th Street, Suite C, Textbook Brokers provides competitive rental prices and great customer service.

UNC Bookstore (Lower level of University Center)

📚 Get Help from Your Friendly Librarians

Need help finding affordable textbooks or have questions about resources? Your friendly UNC librarians would love to help you save money on textbooks!

You can reach out to UNC's librarians in these ways:

• Email: You can email the library at libraries@unco.edu with your questions or concerns.
• Schedule an Appointment: If you prefer to talk in person, you can schedule a time using this link.
• General Research Help: You can also contact other librarians for general research help by visiting the Research Help page.