Buying Books

Location and Hours

Shopping on-line

Information Needed

• First, you will need a list of your courses which includes the name of your instructor. Also, it is helpful if you have the Section and Course ID number, Example: ANTH 112 FO701 with F meaning Fall, 07 for the year (2007) and 01 for the section ID number.Take this to the bookstore to look up the text books required for your various courses.

Estimating Costs

• Usually it is around a $100 per course for new books.
• Sometimes teachers will place books on reserve which can be accessed by getting a student card (third floor of the library in the commons area usually open 9-4) and finding the reserve book through the VIU Library Web site. Then visit the librarian to take the reserve book out. They usually have two hour loan restriction on them, but some may be able to be taken out for a day.

Tips for saving money

• You can buy used books by going to the Student Union Building and seeing if your course's books are for sale there from previous students .
• Ask around to see if anyone has the books you need, and are willing to either sell them to you at a discounted rate, or will loan them to you (for the cost of a dinner paid for by you).

Remember

• Always keep your receipts and try not to write in the books so you can resell them after your course is over.
• The Bookstore and book swap at the Student Union are both are avenues to sell your unwanted textbooks. Some books turn out to be keepers.