Books for Class
As the fall semester quickly approaches I am sure many students are wondering how they will buy their textbooks for class.
There are several ways that students can buy their books. There are also several stores they can buy their books from. The Illini Union Bookstore is the official University of Illinois bookstore. If you would like you can reserve your books online and pick them up when you arrive on campus or you may even purchase the books online. There are two other bookstores on campus that students may purchase their textbooks from. T.I.S College Bookstore on Sixth Street will let you pre-order your books and pick them up later. On the corner of Wright Street and Green Street you will find Folletts Bookstore, where students may also buy their textbooks.
Students can wait until they arrive on campus to purchase their textbooks, however it’s always a good idea to try and at least reserve your books in advance. Students can choose to buy used or new books from any of the bookstores on campus. Buying used books will save students money. Typically students try to buy as many used books as they can, so used books tend to go quicker than new books.
Another way to save money on your textbook is by borrowing some books from the library. We have one of the largest library systems in the country and some of the books that students will need for class may be available through our library or our partner libraries. Students can always check if the books they need are available through the library here. If they are, you can physically find the books and check them out. If you request them through the library Web site, you can choose for the books to be sent to any of the libraries on campus that you choose and can pick them up where it’s most convenient for you. Make sure you have your UIN (University Identification Number) available for requesting books.
If students are receiving financial aid and expect to get a refund and use that refund to purchase books for class you should expect to receive that refund the Thursday or Friday before classes begin. The Office of Student Financial Aid will be sending refund checks out that week. It is always better and easier for students to have a checking account where they can have their checks deposited electronically. If you have any questions regarding your refund checks please contact The Office of Student Financial Aid at 217-333-0100.
Responses
Please note that responses close after 90 days.
07.31.09
9:31 am
I know a lot of people say that buy books online is also an option; do you think this is a good avenue?
07.31.09
11:55 am
Merle,
I can’t say for sure which bookstore has the lowest prices, but I do believe that you can see what their prices are online through their websites. Sorry I couldn’t be more helpful.
07.31.09
11:59 am
Emma,
You can buy your books online; however make sure that they are the correct ones. Many textbooks will have different editions, so just double check it is the one you will need for your class. I would also consider the shipping cost when buying books online, but feel free to shop around to save the most!
08.04.09
8:09 am
Hey Karina,
I was wondering, for how long can we issue a book from library, and can we re-issue the same book?
Thank you
08.04.09
10:03 pm
How many books can we borrow at one time and what is the duration?
08.09.09
2:04 am
Hey Karina,
I was wondering if you had heard anything about ebooks and what you thought about them vs. hardcover books?
Merle
07.30.09
11:57 am
Which bookstore typically has the lowest prices?