Author, Megan Turnock is a final year International Business student at the University of Liverpool.
With prices rising it can be difficult to access all the books you need to on a limited budget. Books can often be an expensive part of life at university but don’t worry! Whether it’s academic books or you read as a hobby, there are a range of ways you can keep reading without the high cost.
Check out our top tips to get all the books you need within your budget.
The library online
With over 900,000 eBooks and 130,000 e-journals these can all by accessed with just a few clicks, 24/7. You can use the library online search features to find exactly what you need. If you can’t find what you’re looking for use the ‘Get It For Me’ feature, where you can request any resources and library staff will aim to source it for you to use as quickly as possible.
Second hand shopping
The books you need don’t always need to be brand new! Online sites such as eBay and Amazon offer a while host of books second hand at a fraction of the price. And if you’re in the mood for a shopping trip, head to town and browse the charity shops! Bold Street is a great place to start, home to several charity shops. They may not have exactly what you need but you might find something interesting and contribute to a good cause at the same time.
Blackwell’s Bookshop
Your bookshop on campus offers a range of student deals and discounts to get you the books you need at a fraction of the price. You can visit them in store at Crown Place accommodation or head to their website to shop online with collection in store available. They have a range of offers available for students, including up to 15% of selected textbooks.
Sharing and swapping
Are your friends all on the same modules this year? Co-ordinate with each other to allow you to share a communal book and save you all making the same purchase. And if you’re really organised, divide the modules between you so you each purchase the books for one module each! Also, connect with students in the years above you! It is likely they have studied the content and own the books that you will need for your course. Chat with them and see if they are open to passing on the textbooks they no longer need but you can use.