Student Resources
Top Textbooks on Reserve Program
The Student Government Association partnered with the University Libraries to stock textbooks used in University of Maryland's top enrolled courses. Students can borrow these textbooks from the McKeldin Library Services Desk for four hours at a time, on a first-come, first-served basis.
UBorrow and Interlibrary Loan
Through UBorrow and Interlibrary Loan (ILL), you can obtain books, articles, and other materials not held in the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI). While it is unlikely that you will be able to acquire the most recent edition of a traditional textbook, you may be able to borrow older editions or other required readings (e.g., novels for a literature class). Books borrowed through UBorrow usually arrive in one week and can be borrowed for 16 weeks; turnaround time and loan periods for ILL vary.
How to Talk to Your Professors
If you are having difficulty purchasing a textbook because of the cost, talk to your professor. They will help direct you to affordable options. Ask for permission to use an older edition of the text if one is available. Ask your professor to check if the book is available through the University Libraries on course reserves.
Discuss open educational materials with your professors. Be prepared with examples of open resources that are applicable to your course. Introduce open textbooks and reading materials as alternative options that are significantly more affordable for students. Be sure to emphasize the efficacy of the materials, as this is of paramount concern for educators.