Textbooks are an important learning resource for students because they provide a comprehensive overview of a subject and often include important information that is covered in a course. They can also serve as a reference for students to use when reviewing material or completing assignments. In addition, textbooks are often written by experts in the field and can provide valuable insights and perspectives that may not be available elsewhere. Despite these numerous benefits, many students these days make little or no use of this crucial resource. Some because of being unaware of the sheer importance of textbooks while others simply cannot afford their astronomical prices. For the latter category of students, however, access to low-priced or free textbooks can be made possible in a number of ways.
Following are some of the ways to get free textbooks by mail and online:
Check with your local or campus library
This is perhaps the most obvious way of getting hands-on free textbooks. Some schools and libraries offer free textbook rental programs or have a collection of textbooks that students can borrow. However, these are often in limited quantities, and so are provided on a first come first serve basis. So, as soon as you get to know the titles of your textbooks, rush to your local or campus library or contact them online to borrow the textbooks. Some libraries may even offer a mail-out service, where you can request the book to be mailed to you.
Look for used textbooks
Given the fact that new textbooks in the market have hefty price tags, it is a good idea to look for used textbooks. You can often find used versions of textbooks for sale online at sites like Amazon, AbeBooks, and eBay. These books are usually significantly cheaper than new ones.
In addition to that, there are some online platforms that offer pre-loved textbooks for free. By just paying the shipping cost, you can get those textbooks by mail.
Look for sites that deliver free textbooks with a $0 shipping cost
If you are looking for free textbooks and don’t even want to pay the shipping charges, then there is a platform for you. SolutionInn is an online platform that provides free textbooks to students without charging them the shipping cost.
Rent textbooks
Borrowing textbooks from libraries is a great way of getting free textbooks but often you’ll find textbooks in libraries already issued to someone. In that case, renting textbooks from various platforms is also a viable option. Some online retailers and textbook rental companies allow you to rent textbooks for a semester or a year at a time. This can be a highly cost-effective option.
Try electronic versions of textbooks
If you have run out of options to get hard copies of free textbooks or don’t mind studying from e-form of books, then try getting electronic versions of textbooks. Several online platforms offer a large variety of textbooks in electronic format, which can be significantly cheaper than print versions. You can also find e-books for sale on the same sites where you can buy print versions, or you can check out electronic versions from your school or local library as well.
Look for open educational resources
There are many websites that offer free educational resources, including textbooks. Some examples of online platforms that provide free textbooks include OpenStax, Project Gutenberg, and the Open Textbook Library. These textbooks can usually be downloaded in pdf format or can be studied online.
Search for scholarships and grants
Some organizations offer scholarships or grants specifically for students who need help paying for textbooks. You can search online or check with your school’s financial aid office to see if there are any programs available for you.
Sell or trade your old textbooks
If you have old textbooks that you no longer need, you can try selling them online or trading them with other students. This can help offset the cost of buying new textbooks and you might end up getting free textbooks.
Closing Remarks
If you are among those students, who understand the significance of textbooks but balk at their sky-high prices, then you can benefit from the ways mentioned above to get free textbooks.