LibAnswers

When you take college classes, it is generally the responsibility of the student to find and purchase any textbooks or other required materials prior to (or very shortly after) the start of the term. All textbooks and required course materials can be purchased from Western's official online bookstore, eCampus. 

Where can I find my book list?

After you’re registered for classes, a list of required books and materials will be available to you via eCampus, Western's official online bookstore. 

How do I purchase textbooks?

To shop for textbooks using your course schedule:

1. Visit westerntc.ecampus.com and sign in via your Western Technical College Account.
2. You will be redirected to sign in with your Western Technical College credentials.
3. Your books will auto-populate based on your course schedule. Select your textbooks from the new, used, rental, ebook or marketplace options. Once all options are chosen, select Add Item to Cart at the bottom. 
4. Review your order and select Proceed to Checkout.
5. Begin the checkout process by entering your shipping address. Select Continue to choose your shipping method. 
6. Select your method on the payment screen: credit/debit card, Book Voucher or PayPal. Select Continue to review. If a rental is selected, a credit card is required for collateral and will not be charged unless the book is returned damaged or not returned. On the next page, select Place Order to receive your confirmation.

But can't I borrow my book from the Library?

Depends on the situation. 

The Learning Commons/Library does have a small collection of textbooks and materials available for student use in the Learning Commons when our space on campus is open and an even smaller collection available to students online. You are welcome to search our library catalog to see if we have your textbook or you can contact the library with individual questions or needs. It's also possible that your course is using a freely available open educational resource. However, in most cases, purchasing or renting textbooks through the Bookstore is going to be your best bet for getting the books you need for class.

What are Open Educational Resources (OER) and do I need to buy those? 

Open Educational Resources are course materials that are available to use online for free. If you prefer a physical textbook, that's an option too. Courses and faculty that are using OER will likely have a note about it in your syllabus or Blackboard course. The Learning Commons has some common OER printed and ready for you (just ask us!) and we can also help you figure out options for your specific situation.