Are you looking for ways to save money on textbooks? Are you tired of forking out over hundreds of dollars on books? You’re not alone. Most students feel the pinch when it comes to buying textbooks. But what if there were ways to get your hands on texts for free? That’s right, free. We have highlighted ways to get your hands on free textbooks. Who knows, you may even have a few of these options available to you already.
1. Check your college's library
Not only is your college library packed with helpful resources to help you succeed, but it also contains textbooks that can be checked out for free. They may have a section specifically for readers. Your college library is fully equipped with a plethora of books. Depending on the size of the college, this section could have a decent collection of textbooks.
Of course, you can always go to your local public library and see if they have any books you might need for your class. Many libraries also buy textbooks in bulk and sell them at reduced prices; check out what your local library has to offer. Many libraries have an extensive collection of audio and videos along with ebooks. Stop by your local library to see if they have any textbooks available.
2. Search for free ebooks online
Instead of shelling out money for your textbooks, try searching online for free ebooks. Thousands of websites offer free ebooks, and many of them even have a dedicated section to books. Bookshare offers a vast collection of free ebooks with the bonus of being accessible for people with print disabilities. Many libraries have an extensive collection of free ebooks available.
3. Download pdf of the books you need
Pdf is a readable format for almost all types of e-readers, including the Kindle and nook. So why not just download textbooks you need as pdfs? There are many websites that offer free pdf downloads of books. Many colleges have a student portal accessible to current students through their website, where you can download entire books and review articles and ebooks. Often these materials are available for free or at the cost of printing. Getting your textbooks in ebook format can help you save money on your devices.
4. Check with your professor
Before buying a book, meet with your professor and ask whether they would be willing to loan out their copy of the textbook. Sometimes professors will take pity on you and help you save money. Sometimes professors don’t mind you sharing books as long as they’re not too beaten up and you’re careful with them, but to be sure, ask first if it’s okay to share or, better yet, offer to send the book after you’ve finished using it. This way, no one else will need to touch it.
5. Rent from online services
Online book rental services help you save money on textbooks by allowing you to rent them instead of buy. These services have a vast selection of books available, so there’s no need to worry about not being able to find what you’re looking for. Signing up with these services is a good idea because they’ll be able to send you notices when a book you’re looking for becomes available, and then you can buy that textbook from whichever service has it. If you choose between buying a new or used book, always go with used.
6. Purchase used textbooks whenever possible
There are many places to purchase used textbooks. The best place to buy these books is at actual stores. Stores will usually offer students a much lower price for their textbooks than websites that sell them online. If you’re trying to find the cheapest deal for your used textbooks, checking your campus bookstore isn’t a bad idea. Keep in mind that you will have to pay for shipping when buying off websites, and you may also be hit with taxes depending on your location.
7. Sell back your textbooks
You can sell your textbooks to the campus bookstore or an online service. Campus bookstores generally buy back books from students for more than they sell them. If you’re thinking about selling your textbooks to a campus bookstore, be sure to find out exactly how much money you will get for your books before throwing them into the buyback bin. Keep in mind that some stores limit how many books you can turn in at once. Sign up for free: some websites allow users to access free textbooks if they sign up for a premium membership or charge a small fee.
Conclusion
So there you have it, ways to get your hands on free textbooks. While some of these methods may require a bit more work than others, they’re all worth checking out if you’re looking to save some money this semester. And don’t forget, even if you can’t find a textbook for free, buying used is always a cheaper option than purchasing a new one. With that in mind, happy hunting and good luck.
