The textbook collection was started through a gift from Mrs. Marge Page, a longtime supporter of the Wichita State University Libraries. Her decision to make the donation was based on the difficulty she and her husband faced in purchasing all their textbooks while attending college.
The aim of the collection is to assist students who may not be able to afford textbooks or who may be delayed in purchasing them. Textbooks purchased for this collection are ones that generally cost $100 or more, and are required for classes with high enrollment.
Attempts were made to represent each instructional college of the University in the collection. Current textbooks from the Libraries’ general collection were also added to the ones purchased.
Textbooks may be checked out to currently enrolled WSU students for two hours. Textbooks are designated as library-use only; they may not be taken out of the building or to the 24-hour Study room. If a textbook is checked out, a hold may be placed at the Reserve/Circulation Desk to be the next in line to use it.
There are also a few textbooks on Reserve at the Music and Chemistry Libraries that are not part of the Textbook Collection. They may be found by doing a Title or Author search in the online catalog. You may also ask at the service desks at the branch libraries.
Fines for Textbooks
Fines on textbooks are $0.10 per minute. There is a ten-minute grace period. If a textbook is lost or not returned, the borrower will be charged the full current replacement cost plus a $15.00 processing fee.
To determine if your textbook is in the collection, use the library’s online catalog. In the catalog, perform a Basic Search by Title or Author for the desired textbook.
To bring up a list of all textbooks in the Textbook Collection using the online catalog, click here.
You may also search for textbooks by course number. Follow these steps:
Though the Textbook Collection has proved to be popular among our patrons, it is far from a comprehensive sample of the books used WSU courses. If your instructor has assigned a textbook that is not part of our collection, you may request that the library purchase the title using the Book Purchase Request Form.
If you have questions or suggestions about the collection, or wish to make a donation of a textbook in current use that is not in the collection, please call the Reserve Desk at (316) 978-3583 or email us at librarystaff@wichita.edu.
