Finding Free and Affordable Course Materials for Students

Faculty, UO Libraries, and many other support units care about student textbook affordability. We work hard to offer more cost-effective course material options for students and connect them with resources to help offset textbook costs.

UO Libraries have made substantial investments to give students access to their course materials in both digital and print formats. Each term, we purchase as many course materials as unlimited user eBooks as we can, and we work with instructors to place physical textbooks on Course Reserves.

This guide can help you find courses to enroll in that use no- or low-cost textbooks or course materials, find free eBook versions of some of your course materials available online through UO Libraries, and check out physical copies of some textbooks through Course Reserves. If your books aren't available for free, there are resources on campus that can help you pay for your books, and other places to search locally and online for free versions.

Will my class use affordable or free textbooks?

Before you register for classes, check if your course will use free or low-cost materials:

  1. Search for no-cost courses and/or low-cost course in the course schedule. Use the no-cost filter in the UO Class Schedule to find courses that only use free materials and the low-cost filter to find courses that only use materials that cost $50 or less. Please note that courses that use books that are available as eBooks through UO Libraries may not be marked as no-/low-cost on the schedule. Learn more about searching for no-/low-cost courses.

    screenshot of low cost and no cost filters in the course schedule.

For Faculty and Instructors
Are you looking for ways to lower or eliminate your course materials costs?
Learn how Libraries can help

 

  1. Check the Duck Store's website for exact textbook information and notes from your professors. Search for your course in the UO Class Schedule and click on the "Course Materials" link in any course description, or use the Duck Store's textbook search. On the Duck Store website you can find the title, edition and author information for required books. Some instructors may leave notes to students if books are available through UO Libraries or available for free elsewhere.
     

    The course materials hyperlink on the UO Class Schedule, which links to assigned course materials on the Duck Store website

Can I find my textbooks at UO Libraries?

Before you purchase your textbooks, check for free options at UO Libraries:

  1. Search UO Libraries for digital and/or physical copies of your books before buying. UO Libraries may have an eBook version, a physical version, or both. Search UO Libraries.
     
  2. Search Course Reserves for physical copies of textbooks available for short-term loans. Course Reserves include library- and instructor-owned books, videos, audio recordings, and more. Materials on reserve can be checked out for short loans (usually a few hours or a few days). To search Course Reserves, select "Course Reserves" in the LibrarySearch bar and search by course number or instructor name. Note that not all classes will have Course Reserves; your instructor must work with the library to put materials on reserve. Learn more about Course Reserves. 

How can I get help paying for textbooks?

These student support offices offer textbook subsidies and lending libraries. Visit each website to learn more about options and eligibility requirements:

  • The Basic Needs Office offers a textbook subsidy program that provides up to $150 of financial aid to offset the cost of expensive textbooks. The application opens the first day of classes and funds are typically exhausted very quickly, so set a calendar reminder to apply! 
  • The CMAE Resource Pond offers a textbook subsidy and lending library for eligible students.
  • The UO Women's Center offers a textbook lending library, and when books are not yet available, students can request new titles through the Book Aid program. They also publish helpful textbook tips.
  • TRIO Student Support Services offers a textbook subsidy and book loaner program for eligible students.

 

woman browsing library stacks
Learn More About Finding Free Textbooks and No/Low Cost Courses
The Finding Free and Affordable Materials Guide provides full tutorials with screenshots to help you use the Library to find your textbooks and use the no-/low-cost designator on the Course Schedule. You'll also learn where to look online for your textbooks and how to talk to your professors about textbook costs.
Access the Complete Guide