Textbooks

Before You Buy

Did you know that there are many ways to save money on textbook costs? Some instructors use free online books, there are financial assistance programs, and Library options. Take a look and see if there are ways you can save before buying.

Do you need a textbook? (PDF - text-only version)

If you want personalized help navigating your textbook options like book vouchers and free semester library checkouts, stop by or contact the Library for assistance!

Campus Resources for Textbooks

• To see if your class has zero textbook costs, look at the Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 ZTC Class lists.
• To find out if you qualify for assistance programs, contact Basecamp
• To purchase new or used print books, as well as ebooks, contact the COS Bookstore
• To use Library reserve textbooks, see the info below and/or contact the Library

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Classes

Many College of the Siskiyous classes have zero textbook costs! That means that:

• your class has no textbook
• you have free access to online textbooks because the instructor chose an "open educational resource" (OER) textbook
• the COS Library is able to provide a free ebook copy (simply login with your COS email and password)

Check out the current lists for Winter 2025 and Spring 2025.

If your ZTC option is a library ebook, be aware that library ebooks have some quirks. Please watch our Using Library Ebooks as Your Textbook video (4:01 min).

You may also like:

• Downloading from Ebook Central (video 3:18 min.)
• Downloading from the EBSCO eBook Collection (video 3:56 min.)
• OverDrive Overview (video 4:59 min.)

Library Reserves

College libraries traditionally have a collection of textbooks which are usually referred to as "textbook reserves" or "course reserves." The COS Library has a mix of physical textbooks, ebooks, DVDs, and other assigned materials on reserve. Our Textbook Reserves in the Library video (2:17 min.) shows you how to use the catalog to find out what print textbooks and ebooks we have on reserve. You can also access library ebooks through the Zero Textbook Cost lists for Winter 2025 and Spring 2025 ZTC Classes.

Other ways the Library can help with textbooks

Don't hesitate to contact the Library with your textbook questions.

• Scanning: While copyright laws prevent us from scanning and sharing entire textbooks, we can sometimes help fill in the gaps (for example, if you ordered your textbook online and are waiting for it to arrive). Please contact us and let us know what class, book, and pages you need.
• Yreka Students: If you would like to use a textbook on a regular basis on the Yreka Campus, please contact the Library. We will do our best to get a copy up to Yreka for you to use!

Contact the Library

College of the Siskiyous Library
800 College Avenue
Weed, CA 96094

Email: library@siskiyous.edu
Text/Phone: (530) 938-5331
Fax: (530) 938-5226
Zoom: By appointment