Textbooks

The PCC Bookstore is the best place to start if you want to buy or rent a textbook. You will often find options to buy new or used textbooks, or to rent a digital ebook version of the book. Compare prices for your various options by visiting the PCC Bookstore website. You can search by book title, or select the courses you're enrolled in and see links to the book(s) you need.

• Check with the PCC Library to see if your book is available to use online at no cost. (Library access to print textbooks is unavailable during COVID-19 closure.)
• Ask your professor for alternative options, including whether it's OK to use an earlier edition. Sometimes earlier editions are less expensive, especially used copies.
• The PCC Bookstore has a price match guarantee for print books. If you find the exact same book at a lower price online, the PCC Bookstore will match it.
• Rent instead of buy. Learn more about renting textbooks from the PCC Bookstore.
• Consider buying or renting your textbook in ebook format. You won't have to wait for the book to ship!
• Buy used.
• Buy the book from another student who has taken the class before.
• Sell your old textbooks to help fund your new books. The PCC Bookstore has options for selling your books in person or online.

NOTE: Some textbooks come with a digital access code that you need to access quizzes, tests, and assignments. If your class requires this code, you will need to buy a new textbook.

If you decide to buy a used textbook, make sure to keep the following in mind:

• Order the right edition of the book. Textbooks often come out with a new edition every year or two.
• Search by ISBN whenever possible. You're more likely to get the right edition of the book.
• Be careful with editions published for use in other countries. They may be cheaper, but the content (particularly assignments and quizzes) can be different.
• Read up on the used copy's condition. Some books are like new, but others may include highlighting and notes in the margins.
• See where the book ships from. The farther away, the slower standard shipping may be. If the book is coming from overseas, it may not arrive in time.
• Factor in any shipping costs when deciding if the price is good.
• Look at multiple used copy listings before picking one to buy.