Where Do I Get These Textbooks?!

The first week of classes have gone by, course syllabi have gone out and everyone is asking the same annoying question: where do I buy all of these textbooks?!

Now let me just put it out there right away; where is not the only question you should be asking. How is what always escapes us! There are things you should know and things you can do to make textbook buying as easy as possible! If you have a keener for a prof, than you might have gotten your syllabus before classes started and for that, I commend you. The bookstore doesn’t give refunds though, so it might be wise to go to your first class and then buy your books. You know, to make sure nothing has changed.

Also, you may be able to avoid all of this and find your book at a bookstore in the mall or on Amazon!

Below is a list of places YOU can look to find your books!

CAMPUS BOOKSTORE

Location: Gould & Victoria (Southwest corner)

Hours
Monday to Thursday – 9:00am – 6:30pm
Friday – 9:00am – 4:30pm
Saturday – 11:00am – 3:00pm*
*Only open on Saturdays for the first 3 weeks of either semester

Link: http://campusstore.ryerson.ca/ or http://www.ryerson.ca/calendar/2011-2012/pg1475.html

What You Should Know

This is the go-to spot for many students, and especially first years, on campus. It’s just all up in your face on the corner like that and naturally, it’s the easiest solution. That being said, it is also a mission to get books here!

  • First of all, I don’t know why but the door to the entrance of the bookstore is RIDICULOUSLY heavy. Be prepared. #IHaveWimpyArms
  • THE LINE IS LONG. You need to be prepared to this. Budget time, bring a coffee, a friend or a game on your smartphone, because it get’s mad.
  • There are people around who can help you find your book’s section, but be awesome and look it up before you get there. Here, let me make it easy for you! Click it to get a larger view!

SNACK STOP BOOKSTORE

Location: POD 252 Snack Stop (2nd floor between the LIB building and JOR building)

Hours
During September, this temporary bookstore opens selling both new and used books. Hours are the same as the bookstore.

What You Should Know
This is a new location this year, so we’ll have to see how it all works out, BUT if it’s anything like the old Bookstore on Bond, than it is similar to the Campus Bookstore in that there will be a LOOOOOONG line, so use the same tips! People need their books. You gotta do what you gotta do. *straight G face*

USED BOOK ROOM

Location: SCC B03 (Basement of Student Centre)

Hours
Extended for Sept. 10th – Sept. 20th
Monday to Thursday – 8:30am – 9:00pm
Friday – 8:30am – 6:00pm
Saturday – 11:00am – 5:00pm
(Expect the Monday–Thursday Hours to shorten during the rest of the year)

Link: http://www.usedbookroom.ca/

What You Should Know

The Used Book Room is a service provided by the RSU so that we as students can buy books cheaper! Seriously, who doesn’t want cheaper anything?

  • You can literally buy gently used textbooks, WHILE selling your old ones. Umm, hello monayyy!
  • There is absolutely nothing wrong with buying used textbooks, so long as you know you have the proper edition (made that mistake before…  O.o)
  • Seriously though, get used to the lines by now. Bring entertainment. This place has some sweet deals, but there is even a line just to get in!   #Popular

ONLINE CAMPUS STORE

Link: https://campusstore.ryerson.ca/courselistbuilder.aspx

What You Should Know

So Ryerson has this really cool system now that allows you to buy your books through the school, but online! It’s like Amazon for Ryerson! If your course is registered, you just select your department, course and section, and it will provide you with the list of books for that course. Your prof will have had to register it though, or it won’t show up. It will ship it to your address, so make sure you’ve allotted enough time before you have to get reading!

SOCIAL MEDIA BOOK EXCHANGE

RYERSON’S FACEBOOK TEXTBOOK EXCHANGE

Links to a few Facebook groups specifically for Ryerson textbook buying and selling. Do yourself a favour and type the title of the book you want into the search bar of the group or you could scroll forever!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/392833554081334/
AND https://www.facebook.com/groups/392833580747998/
AND https://www.facebook.com/groups/402139276484095/

We do everything else on Facebook, so why not buy our textbooks there too!

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC BOOK EXCHANGE

Links: An Example from The RTA School of Media … http://rtalounge.ca/books.php

Some courses set up their own way of sharing textbooks within the program. Being in RTA, I can show you the example above. I know that GCM has and online Excel spreadsheet they use, but I would say contact your program’s student coordinator and they should be able to tell you if something similar exists in your program!

If it doesn’t, you should consider starting one for future years!

…FINALLY, THE SKETCHIEST FOR LAST

KIJIJI & CRAIGSLIST

Did you know you can buy and sell your textbooks on these websites?! Yup, people do it.

What You Should Know:

  • These are not Ryerson-specific outlets, so be street-smart!
  • Meet in a public place. There are some serious creepers on these websites  o.O
  • If you must go to their home, don’t be foolish – bring someone with you.

I don’t want to be hearing some ”I thought I was buying a textbook…” stories  #HELLNO #That’sWhack

  • Otherwise, get all the cheap books you can!  =D

Well, I think those are all of the ways I know how to find textbooks!

If you know of any tips or tricks you want to share, feel free to comment and let me know!