Finding textbooks and course materials
The University Libraries partners with the University of Minnesota Bookstores to provide freely available, online required textbooks where possible. Books for your courses provided through the University Libraries can be found on your Course Works shelf or the Library Course Materials page for your course in Canvas. Students can also request textbooks through Interlibrary Loan, or search the University Libraries for course materials.
The University Libraries and Course Works
All degree-seeking undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in a program called Course Works Complete. The program provides required textbooks and readings for the courses you are taking for a flat fee of $279 (this fee is added to your student account). These can include library materials, open educational resources, journal articles, textbooks, and courseware. Optional course materials are not included. More information can be found on the FAQ page "What academic materials are covered by this program?"
Log in to Canvas and select the Course Works menu tab to access your textbooks and other course materials, including library provided ebooks. Your instructor may also have a reading list of journal articles, book chapters, ebooks, and streaming videos that can be accessed through the Library Course Materials menu tab on your Canvas course site.
For undergraduates and graduate students who have opted-out
Course Works Complete is not available for graduate students. Undergraduate students can opt-out, which will enroll them in Course Works Select—where they can select individual items—or they can opt out of Course Works entirely. Log in to Canvas and select Course Works menu tab to review your options.
The Libraries can always help undergraduate and graduate students get textbooks and readings. Check out our course materials guide, or contact us at [email protected].
Other course materials options
Students
Students learn more about how to get textbooks and course readings through the University Libraries, including requesting materials through Interlibrary Loan.
Faculty and instructors
Faculty and instructors learn more about our services to help integrate library materials such as textbooks, online articles, book chapters, course readings, streaming videos and more into your courses.