Students looking to buy textbooks for the fall 2025 semester through Eastern Michigan University's online vendor should know that it has changed, and a new vendor will launch in July.
On Friday, June 20, 2025, EMU students received an email from Travis Temeyer, the EMU purchasing and procurement director. In the email, Temeyer wrote that EMU’s online store, the e-bookstore, has changed to a new online store called eCampus, which began in 1999. The store’s online address is eCampus.com.
The change will be launched on the first day of July, and students should be aware of the consequences. Students who have already placed an order via the old e-bookstore for summer need to pick up their order at the bookstore before it closes on June 30.
According to Temeyer’s email, the new online store offers new, used, and electronic textbooks for sale or rent. eCampus.com also offers study materials and book buyback services.
“The eCampus online bookstore makes it easier to find textbooks at the lowest possible prices,” Temeyer stated.
If students are uncertain about the change or have more questions, they can reach out to Temeyer at ttemeyer@emich.edu.
Textbooks can be expensive, which may make students' preparation for the fall of 2025 challenging. A 2023 survey of EMU students shows that almost 60% of the participants shared concerns about textbook costs. However, there are some ways to deal with the barrier.
#1 Check for textbooks’ requirement by class
Some professors assign readings or refer to readings online. It is a good idea to ask the professor ahead of time which readings are required.
Students can find professors' email addresses and full names in the course registration details and email them. Since students may not know ahead of time whether the professor assigns reading or not, asking the professor for the PDFs or access to the readings can resolve the uncertainty.
#2 Buy used textbooks
Another way to save money is to buy used textbooks. In addition to being a lower-cost option, used textbooks can be useful for future reference or even resale.
#3 Rent textbooks
Renting a textbook also decreases costs. However, renters must pay attention to the textbook's return date. Otherwise, they might get a penalty.
Some online stores that offer used and rental textbooks include Amazon, Chegg, eBay and Facebook Marketplace.
Students who do not have enough time to wait for a delivery from an online order may want to visit a local bookstore. When purchasing a textbook in a store, students must make sure the ISBN on the book’s cover is the same as the class requirement.
Moreover, online groups such as EMU Eagle application can be valuable for textbook thrifting. On the application feed, EMU students post on used textbooks for sale or to give.
It is better not to wait for the last moment to have the course textbook, and the EMU Eagle application is a good additional tool for students to find the textbooks they need.
#4 Use previous editions
Instructors may point out that using the latest version of the textbook is best. However, some professors permit the use of previous editions, and previous edition textbooks are often cheaper than recent editions.
Students may contact their professor and ask if previous editions are allowed. When asking the professor about previous editions, they must be accurate about the edition’s number and/or ISBN.
Students can use the website BookFinder.com to compare textbook prices from vendors.
#5 Library hacks
The Halle Library offers some alternative solutions with textbooks for EMU students. To learn more, you can go to Halle Library website or contact a librarian.
What tools does the campus library offer for EMU students?
EMU’s library offers students many resources. For example, reaching out to a librarian for assistance with research or an assignment can make students' lives easier. Librarians have the knowledge and ability to direct and advise students efficiently.
Students can meet with librarians in person or over Zoom or chat. They can schedule a meeting on the “Ask a Librarian” webpage.
How can students get free access to textbooks required in classes?
The million-dollar question, whether students get affordable access to textbooks required in classes, is not simple to answer. In some cases, librarians and library sources can help. One way to get free access to textbooks is when instructors work with librarians to design the class with free textual materials.
Sometimes, the Halle Library provides e-book versions for students. EMU students can access e-books with their EMU credentials.
Students can also check out the “Course Prefix," a tool that the Halle Library added to its website. This tool leads students to a list of books available for use. The list is constantly updated. However, the books are not classified by course name, so students need to verify the book by the author, version, or ISBN.
For some of the ebooks, the library might limit access to one to three users at a time. Visit ProQuest Ebook Central's website to see an example of how the one-to-three users restriction looks online.
The library follows course reservation policies with hard copies of textbooks. In some cases, a publisher releases printed versions of their textbook, or the Halle Library can purchase printed textbooks for EMU students. Because of the high number of courses and students, the demand for textbooks might be high.
The Halle Library allows students to have the textbooks for a checkout-desk period of two hours. If students need more than two hours, they can ask the librarian to expand the checkout desk for another two hours.
The library has thousands of books, hard copies, and online versions. If a course requires not a textbook but a reading book (such as a novel), students can search for it on the Halle Library website.
If the Halle Library does not have the book, students can also search it at the Michigan Electronic Library, an online shared library across the state. EMU students have access to both the Halle Library and the Michigan Electronic Library. The Michigan Electronic Library is beneficial for searching for novels rather than textbooks. Borrowing time for a book from the Michigan Electronic Library can last up to three weeks.
Is it possible to print PDFs of chapters from library ebooks?
Sometimes it is, and sometimes not. The professor’s or instructor’s instructions are very important to follow. Also, some of the textbooks limit the number of pages students can read. Reading online is often the better choice so students can save the printings for readings they will need to do later.
Can students print a whole book if they have access through the library?
Students are allowed to print PDF versions of textbooks from the Halle Library if there is no restriction on the posted ebook and if printing is possible. However, it is illegal to post and share the printings.
#6 Malicious Files
EMU’s IT department warns students not to get ebooks from illegal sources that may contain malware programs.
It is important for students to share their concerns with their professors and instructors so they can clarify all reading material requirements before courses begin.
While students may drop classes because they cannot afford textbooks, they should not drop before contacting the professor first. Students can find their professors' names and contact information in Canvas.
