Are you a college student looking for ways to save money on textbooks? Here are 32 places and 10 tips to get college books for free!
Are you a college student looking for ways to save money on textbooks? If so, this post is for you!
I used to spend a few hundred dollars per semester on textbooks before I realized that there were a ton of ways to get the material for a reduced price or even free.
As college students, we know how exorbitant the pricing of textbooks can be. The high cost of textbooks is unfair truly unfair. Higher education is not cheap, that’s for sure.
No matter what subject areas you’re looking for for your college courses, we’re covering the best websites to find college books for free.
In this post, we’ll discuss the various options available for getting free or discounted college textbooks.
We’ll look at websites that offer ebook editions of textbooks, sites that specialize in renting and selling used books, as well as other online resources that can help you save money on college textbooks.
Additionally, we’ll review some tips for tracking down the best deals and discounts available.
We’ll also cover how to use library resources to get free access to certain books. By the end of this post, you’ll be armed with the knowledge necessary to find affordable textbooks for your courses. So let’s get started!
Websites To Get College Books For Free
Finding free college textbooks can be a challenge, but there are several online resources where you can access or download them for free.
Here are some places to look for free college textbooks:
1. OpenStax (https://openstax.org/):
OpenStax by Rice University is a nonprofit organization that provides free, peer-reviewed textbooks for a variety of college subjects. They offer downloadable PDF versions as well as online interactive versions of their textbooks.
2. Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org/):
Project Gutenberg offers over 60,000 free eBooks, including many classic literature and academic texts. While it may not have textbooks for every subject, it’s worth checking to see if they have any relevant materials.
This is especially a good place to look if you do not need the latest edition of a book.
3. Open Textbook Library (https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/):
The Open Textbook Library provides a collection of free, peer-reviewed textbooks from various disciplines. You can browse their catalog and download the textbooks in PDF or read them online.
4. LibGen (http://libgen.is/):
Library Genesis, often referred to as LibGen, is a popular online platform for accessing free scientific articles, textbooks, and research papers. It provides a vast collection of materials, including textbooks, though availability may vary.
5. Bookboon (https://bookboon.com/):
Bookboon offers a selection of free textbooks and educational materials primarily focused on business, engineering, IT, and finance. They provide downloadable PDF versions.
6. Open Culture (https://www.openculture.com/free_textbooks):
Open Culture provides a list of websites where you can find free textbooks and educational resources. They have links to various platforms and repositories that offer free textbooks in different subjects.
7. Internet Archive (https://archive.org/):
The Internet Archive is a digital library that offers access to a wide range of materials, including books, articles, and textbooks. You can search their collection and see if they have the textbooks you need available for free.
The wayback machine let’s you access anything that ever existed on the internet, for te most part.
8. Project MUSE (https://muse.jhu.edu/):
Project MUSE is a digital collection of scholarly books and journals. While not all content is free, some publishers make their textbooks available for free on this platform. Utilize the search bar to find what you’re looking for in a digital format.
9. BCCampus OpenEd (https://open.bccampus.ca/)
BCCampus OpenEd provides an extensive collection of open textbooks for various fields. The textbooks are available in PDF and EPUB format and can be downloaded for free.
10. Bookshare (https://www.bookshare.org/cms/get-started/textbooksonline)
Bookshare is an online library that provides access to free digital texts for individuals with print disabilities. They have a variety of college textbooks available in accessible formats, such as audio and braille.
11. bioRxiv (https://www.biorxiv.org/)
bioRxiv is a preprint server for the life sciences. It provides access to free research papers, articles, and textbooks from various scientific fields.
12. Cite Seer X (https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/index)
Cite Seer X is a scientific literature search engine that provides access to over 8 million research papers, books, and articles. While not all of the content is free, they have a significant amount of open-access material available.
13. Every Poet (http://www.everypoet.com/)
Every Poet is a platform for free digital poetry books. They have an extensive collection of poems from various authors, along with some prose texts. While not all of the content is strictly academic in nature, it might be helpful if you’re looking for additional reading material related to your courses.
14. Google Books (https://books.google.com/):
Google Books offers a vast collection of books, including many college textbooks. While not all books are available for free, you can often find preview pages or sections of textbooks that can be useful for studying.
15. HathiTrust Digital Library (https://www.hathitrust.org/):
HathiTrust is a partnership of academic and research institutions that provides access to a vast digital library. They offer millions of books, including textbooks, that you can access for free if you are affiliated with a participating institution.
16. BookFinder (https://www.bookfinder.com/):
BookFinder is a search engine for books that allows you to compare textbook prices and find the best deals on new, used, and rare books. While not all books are free, you can often find significantly discounted prices or used copies at low cost.
17. InTechOpen (https://www.intechopen.com/):
InTechOpen provides open-access textbooks in various scientific disciplines. They offer PDF versions of their books that can be downloaded for free.
18. OER Commons (https://www.oercommons.org/)
OER Commons is an online library and resource sharing platform, where you can find open educational resources from around the world. They have a variety of free textbooks available in different subjects.
19. Libre Texts (https://libretexts.org/):
Libre Texts is an open educational resource platform that provides free textbooks in various subjects. They offer interactive versions of their textbooks as well as PDF and EPUB formats that can be downloaded for free.
20. WorldCat (https://www.worldcat.org/):
WorldCat is a catalog of books, articles, and other materials from libraries around the world. While not all of the content is free, you might be able to find some relevant textbooks that are available to borrow from a library near you.
21. Lyryx (https://lyryx.com/):
Lyryx is a platform for accessing free open-access textbooks. They have a wide range of titles, including many related to mathematics and science (STEM fields). The books are available in both PDF and HTML formats.
22. Online Mathematics Textbooks (https://cain.math.gatech.edu/textbooks/onlinebooks.html):
Online Mathematics Textbooks is a repository of free mathematics textbooks from various universities. You can browse through their catalog and download the books in PDF format.
23. Textbook Revolution (http://textbookrevolution.org/):
Textbook Revolution is an online platform that provides access to free educational materials, including textbooks and lecture notes. They have a variety of textbooks available in different subjects, and all of them can be downloaded for free.
24. Ocean of PDF (https://oceanofpdf.com/):
Ocean of PDF is an online library that offers a selection of free e-books in various genres. While not all books are educational in nature, you might be able to find some relevant textbooks and other materials.
25. Ebook Lobby (https://ebooklobby.com/):
Ebook Lobby is an online platform for accessing free e-books. They have a variety of books available in different genres, including textbooks and lecture notes that can be downloaded for free.
26. Project Gutenburg (https://www.gutenberg.org/):
Project Gutenburg is a library of free digital books. They have an extensive collection of texts, including many older textbooks and classic literature that are available in PDF format.
Other Places To Find College Books For Free:
In addition to the previously mentioned resources, here are some other places where you can find free college textbooks:
College or university libraries:
Your college or university library may have copies of textbooks that you can borrow. Check with the library staff to see if they have any textbook lending programs or electronic resources available.
Online forums and communities:
There are online forums and communities where students share resources, including textbooks. Websites like Reddit (r/FreeTextBooks, r/TextbookRelease) or specialized student forums may have posts or threads where users share free textbook resources.
OpenCourseWare (OCW) platforms:
Many universities and educational institutions provide free access to their course materials, including textbooks, through OpenCourseWare platforms. Examples include MIT OpenCourseWare (https://ocw.mit.edu/) and OpenLearn (https://www.open.edu/openlearn/), among others.
Public libraries:
Local public libraries often have textbooks available for borrowing. While the selection may not be as extensive as a college library, it’s worth checking if they have any textbooks relevant to your studies.
BookMooch (https://www.bookmooch.com/)
BookMooch is a website for swapping books. Members can exchange their old textbooks with other users, so it’s worth checking if they have any relevant titles available.
You may find someone willing to give away or trade the textbooks you need.
PaperBackSwap (https://www.paperbackswap.com/)
write about paper backswap
PaperBackSwap is another website where you can swap books with other users. They have a wide selection of textbooks and other books, so it’s worth checking if they have any materials that you need. Additionally, the site also offers discounts on certain titles.
By using these resources and being mindful of your budget, you should be able to get the textbooks
Hot Tips To Find College Books For Free
Even when searching these sites, there are some extra tips that can help you find books for free or even a lower cost.
1. Ask your professor if they have any free textbooks available:
Professors often have access to various resources and may be able to help you find free textbooks or other course materials.
2. Compare prices online before buying a textbook:
Take the time to compare prices for the textbooks you need on various sites, so you can get the best deal.
3. Look for digital versions of textbooks:
Some publishers offer digital versions of textbooks that are cheaper or even free. Be sure to check if there’s a digital version before buying the physical copy.
4. Consider renting textbooks instead of buying them:
Renting textbooks can be cheaper than buying them, and some platforms offer discounts for students. The good thing is that some college campuses actually offer this service.
5. Take advantage of online forums and student communities:
Look for posts or threads on online forums such as Reddit, specialized student forums, and other platforms where students share resources. You may be able to find free textbooks or discounted books from your peers.
6. Take advantage of public libraries:
Your local public library may have copies of textbooks available for borrowing. This is a great place to look for free textbooks – the library is usually a great resource for everyone.
7. Check out OpenCourseWare platforms:
Many universities and educational institutions provide free access to course materials, including textbooks, through OpenCourseWare platforms.
8. Take advantage of book swap websites:
Websites like BookMooch and PaperBackSwap allow users to exchange their old textbooks with other members, so it’s worth checking if they have any materials that could be useful for you.
9. Make use of online libraries and repositories:
There are many online libraries, archives, and repositories where you can find free textbooks in various subjects. Do a quick search to see if the textbooks you need are available.
10. Consider buying used textbooks:
Used textbooks are often cheaper than new ones, and you can find them online or through bookstores. Just make sure to check the condition of the book before buying it.
Follow these tips, and you should be able to save a lot on your college textbooks! With some research and creativity, you can get free books that will help you succeed in your academics. Best of luck!
How can you college books for free through the library?
Many libraries offer free access to college textbooks through their online databases. You can search for the books you need online, and then access a digital version of the book that you can read on your computer or other device.
Additionally, some libraries may have physical copies of textbooks available in their collections that you can check out. Be sure to ask library staff if they have any textbooks available for your specific course.
You can also look into interlibrary loan programs, which are collaborations between libraries that let you borrow materials from other participating libraries. This is especially helpful if your college library doesn’t have the textbook you need.
Another option is to use free ebook downloads offered by many libraries. Some may offer access to certain collections of ebooks and other digital materials, such as textbooks. Check with your local library to see what they offer.
Finally, you can look into book exchange programs offered by some colleges and universities. These are websites where students can offer their used textbooks for sale or trade to fellow students. The books may be available at a discounted price or even for free in some cases.
Alternatives To Getting College Books For Free
If you’re not able to find some of the books you need for school for free, there are still ways you can get them at a reduced price.
Here are some alternatives to getting free books:
1. Rent textbooks:
Renting textbooks can be a good way to save money on your college expenses. Many online stores offer textbook rentals at discounted prices, making them a great option for students on a budget.
2. Buy used textbooks:
Used textbooks are often cheaper than new ones, and you can find them online or through bookstores. Just make sure to check the condition of the book before buying it.
Check second hand through online retailers like Amazon, Thriftbooks, and eBay. You can also likely find books in different languages this way, if you need them.
3. Buy digital versions:
Many publishers offer digital versions of textbooks that are cheaper or even free. Be sure to check if there’s a digital version before buying the physical copy.
4. Look for discounts and coupons:
Online stores and bookstores often have discounts and coupons available. Make sure to check if there are any applicable for the textbooks you need.
5. Borrow from friends or family:
Friends or family members may be willing to lend you their old textbooks, so don’t be afraid to ask around! It never hurts to try.
You could post what you’re looking for on social media as well as share what you have for sale or trade.
6. Look for scholarships:
Some universities and organizations offer scholarships or financial aid specifically for textbooks, so it’s worth checking if there are any available.
Personally I would avoid using student loans for college textbooks. It’s just not worth it when you can find most textbooks in a more inexpensive way.
7. Organize a book swap in your dorm or on your campus:
Organizing a book swap is a great way to get the textbooks you need and also help your fellow students out.
All you have to do is put up some posters announcing the event, and people will likely be more than willing to take part in it. Group by major, like the social sciences, physical sciences, etc to get the most out of the swap.
By taking advantage of these alternatives, you should be able to find the textbooks you need without breaking the bank. Good luck!
Final Thoughts on Finding College Books For Free
Finding college textbooks for free or at a reduced price can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. With some research and creativity, you can get free books that will help you succeed in your academics.
When you consider the price of textbooks, you’ll realize it’s worth it to spend the time to find alternatives.
Look into the various options available on websites such as BookMooch and PaperBackSwap, take advantage of online forums and student communities, and check public libraries for textbooks. You can also look into OpenCourseWare platforms, take advantage of book swap websites, or make use of online libraries and repositories.
Additionally, consider renting textbooks or buying used ones to save some money. Finally, don’t forget to look for discounts from online stores, borrow from friends or family, or organize a book swap in your community.
Remember that the availability of specific textbooks for free may vary, and it’s recommended to explore multiple sources and platforms to increase your chances of finding the books you need.
Follow these tips, and you should be able to save a lot on your college textbooks! Best of luck!
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About the Author
Nicole Booz is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of GenTwenty, GenThirty, and The Capsule Collab. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure.
Website: genthirty.com