Typically, publishers will place restrictions on actions you can take within their eBook platforms. This usually includes restrictions on both copying text and printing. However this varies from publisher to publisher.

The textbook buyback program is no longer available at this time.

No, you do not need to buy both. If you buy the Canvas Digital option, this gives you both the eBook and Canvas access digitally. Buying the Canvas Print option gives you the same Canvas access but comes with a physical textbook instead of an eBook.

It depends! EBook digital licenses and access lengths vary by publisher and book. Many eBooks are rentals that include digital subscription access that is valid for a set time period (Ex: 180 days, 2 years) or for the duration of your course (Ex: Canvas eBooks). Other eBooks include lifetime or "perpetual" access that doesn't expire, which allows you to own and access your eBook indefinitely. We recommend always checking the subscription length prior to purchasing your eBook to make sure you choose the option that's best for you!

You can use the Course Search feature here: https://the.bookstore.ubc.ca/books/course-search
If you know your CWL login and are taking courses at UBC this term, you can generate your booklist by selecting 'Access your personalized booklist.'

Alternatively, you can use the manual navigation by selecting a Campus, Course and Section to build your book list.

We use three different distributors in order to make as many digital course materials available to students as we possibly can. The downside to this is that redeeming your digital course materials can seem...complicated. We get it. We hope these step-by-step instructions will help.

1. Determine whether you have purchased a Campus E-Bookstore, Vitalsource or Canvas Digital product. In your online order Status Update email, find the shipment for the item you wish to activate. It should tell you which type of course material you have purchased and provide instructions on what to do next, but if you are unsure:

• Campus E-Bookstore: Below the item name, you should see a 12-character redemption code in red, separated by dashes (combination of letters and numbers).
• Vitalsource:  Below the item name, you should see a 20-character access code (combination of letters and numbers).
• Canvas Digital: the item you have purchased will be named “Canvas Digital: [publication title]” or Canvas Print: [publication title]”

2. Visit the link that corresponds with your purchase and follow the on-screen instructions:

• For Campus E-Bookstore purchases, click here for step-by-step redemption instructions
• For Vitalsource purchases, click here for step-by-step redemption instructions
• For Canvas Access Codes, click here for step-by-step redemption instructions

More details can be found on our Digital Course Materials page.

Access codes are sometimes sold individually and are also often sold packaged along with an e-text, print book or both. All digital materials classified in our system as "ETEXT + ACCESS CODE" include the eBook plus the publishers' digital homework aids. Digital Materials that are sold as an access code only are classified in our system as “ACCESS CODE.”

1. Save up to 50%
2. They are environmentally friendly
3. You don’t have to haul around heavy books

To provide greater flexibility to students, your booklist will often include multiple options for your course materials. Required textbooks are chosen by your instructor and contain mandatory readings and content essential to your participation in the course. Alternative textbooks on the other hand, are typically alternate versions of the same required textbook that deliver the same content but in a different format.

For example, your booklist might show an eBook and access code as your required textbook, and list the physical package version of the same textbook as an alternative option. However they are also giving you an alternate option of the physical package of the book, which contains the print version of your textbook and digital access code as a package. If you'd prefer having the physical book rather than an eBook, you can select the print package as an alternate option. Alternate options provide students options for purchasing the course materials that best fit their learning needs and their budgets. 

Important note: you only need to buy ONE of either the required textbook or its alternates, as either option is acceptable for your course.

If you want to be a boss, you can also read the optional textbooks, which are for additional reading on a particular subject. Optional textbooks aren't required for your course, these are normally supplementary course materials that are recommended by your instructors.

Firstly, we commend you on your organizational skills! There are many reasons why your textbook is not available on your first day: the publisher may be out of stock or impacted by shipping delays, your department or professor may have submitted a late request for your book, enrolment may have increased or classes added. These are just some of the most common reasons. When there is a delay, we make every effort to get the books to the store as quickly as possible.

If you are currently outside of BC and are planning on being on Campus for your first day of class, we strongly advise that you select the option to pick up your books in-store, rather than having them shipped to you out of province. This will ensure you receive your books are quickly as possible. Order your course materials here.

Please complete our contact form and a Bookstore team member will assist you.

Textbooks are different from general books because of the information they contain and the limited market they serve. Publishers set a price and the bookstore tries to keep our retail as close to that price as possible. We try to offer as many economical options as we can; including, new, used and ebooks.

To help us prepare for the next semester, we return all overstock to the publishers. This allows us to have shelf space ready for next terms books. If you need textbooks, it is advisable to purchase them at the beginning of the semester.