Student Learning Success Toolbox: Finding Textbooks for Your Courses

What textbooks do I need for classes?

• Login to MyACC.
• Select My Textbooks form the right-hand options.

Double Check - What type of course did register for?

• If you registered for a class labeled Open Educational Resources/Zero Textbook Cost (OER/ZTC), in place of required textbooks all materials needed for the class will be available online to students free of charge and access will be provided on the first day of class.You may print copies of the resources but will be responsible for printing costs. Course materials may be Open Educational Resources (OER), see syllabus or contact your instructor for specifics.
• If you have registered for a class labeled as First Day (Inclusive Course), the cost of required course materials is added to your tuition and fees bill. You will have digital access to course texts via your Blackboard account from the very first day of class. More information about the First Day program is available here: https://www.austincc.edu/academic-and-career-programs/first-day-classes

The ACC Bookstore is managed by Barnes and Noble and you can buy or rent at most campuses or online. 

• IMPORTANT: You are not required to purchase or rent your textbooks from the ACC Bookstore. See textbook and supplies information

   

Here are common questions you may have about Textbooks at ACC?

• Does the ACC Library have Textbooks? 
• Can I rent a Textbook for my class?

You can earn an associate degree in general studies without ever purchasing a textbook. Z-Degree students save money by taking classes where faculty have chosen to use use freely available course materials. Courses marked as OER/ZTC use resources that are online to students free of charge. Access will be provided on the first day of class.  Course materials may be Open Educational Resources (OER), see syllabus or contact your instructor for specifics.

ACC Z - Degree Information:

• https://www.austincc.edu/academic-and-career-programs/z-degree

More information about Open Educational Resources:

• http://researchguides.austincc.edu/oer

Get the most out of your textbook with these links:

ACC Library Services has suspended checkout from our print textbook collection at this time.

Visit Library Information and Services during COVID-19 Guide for up to date information and announcements.

This FAQ is also available here - Textbook Collection FAQ

What is it?

Textbooks are purchased by the ACC Student Support Center through grant funds to support those students received assistance from their department. At certain times of the semester, the collection is available to any ACC student on a first-come first-services basis. The collection is  located at the Highland Campus Library.

Are all ACC textbooks in the collection?

No, only textbooks purchased by the ACC Student Support Center through a grant to assist certain student groups to gain access to required textbooks are in this collection. Check to see if your textbooks are in the collection by searching here Textbook Collection . Be to Ask a Librarian if you need help.

Who can use it?

-Before classes start - limited to eligible students

Only students in the Support Center Early Access Group are eligible

-During the first week of classes- Students in certain Workforce Programs may be eligible

Contact a Student Support Center staff member DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASSES to to see if you are eligible. Eligible students wil get forms to begin the process. 

-After the first week of classes - open to all ACC students

All current affiliated borrowers who have no outstanding student holds on their library record are eligible. 

First come, first served.

How do I find out what textbooks I need this semester?

BE SURE TO KNOW WHICH TEXTBOOK TO GET. Different sections of the same course may use different textbooks or different editions of textbooks, depending upon what the instructor has selected.

The quickest way to find out which textbooks you need is to consult the MyACC student portal pages.

• Login to MyACC.
• Select My Textbooks form the right-hand options.

Note the type of course you are enrolled in. If labeled ZTC/OER or First Day, see additional information in the section of this guide, "Where do I find the textbooks for my courses?"

Whom do I call if I have questions?

Please contact a Support Center if you have questions about the textbook collection or your eligibility.

What must you bring to the library to check out textbooks?

During the week before classes and the first week of classes: ONLY eligible students must take the authorization form you receive from the Support Center and an ACC photo ID to any ACC Library.

After the first week of class:  All current affiliated borrowers who have who have no outstanding holds on their library record can check out textbooks from the collection with an ACC photo ID.

How can I check to see if a textbook is available?

• The Library has a searchable list of the books in the Textbook Collection

• Search the collection by title, author, or ISBN.

Can textbooks be sent to my campus?

Yes, just as other library materials, textbooks can be sent to your campus library or held for you.

• You must go to a library in person to request an available textbook during your eligibility period.
• Students cannot request or reserve a textbook online through their library account or over the phone.

What if I need the book today?

Your campus library can also call the Highland Campus library and the book will be held for you to pick up at Highland.

How many textbooks can I check out and for how long?

Students may check out up to 5 textbooks unless otherwise authorized by the Support Center.

Textbooks from this collection are due the last day of your classes.

All other textbooks which may be on reserve or happen to be in the regular collection have a shorter checkout period. Be sure to check the due date.

LIBRARY PHONE NUMBERS