Library Services

Students

Library Reserves  Purchasing Textbooks  Textbook Grants  Zero & Low Textbook Cost Classes

Faculty

Physical & Electronic Reserves  Library Ebooks  Open Educational Resources (OER)

Textbooks are kept at the Library's Circulation Desk in our Reserves collection. Ask for your textbook at the Circulation Desk and show your ID to check it out! Some textbooks are available online and can be accessed through OneSearch.

Since textbooks are generally provided by the department or instructor, not all textbooks may be available. Want to know whether the Library has your textbook? Use our Reserve Textbook search.

Reserves Policies

• Reserve items may be borrowed for 3 hours and can be renewed for a total of 6 hours maximum.
• Reserve items may only be renewed if another copy is available.
  • Once the 6 hours maximum loan period is reached, students must wait 1 hour in before another renewal can be requested.
• Reserve items must be used in the library.
• A maximum of 3 reserve items may be borrowed at once.
• Reserve items are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Reserve items cannot be placed on hold.
•  Reserve items must be returned to a staff member at the Circulation Desk.
• A $1 overdue fine is charged for every hour or any portion thereof an item is late

Need help? Stop by the library or chat with a librarian!

The GCC Bookstore offers a variety of purchase and rental options for required textbooks, including less expensive online rentals through RedShelf.

A list of required textbooks is available in MyGCC Student Portal. Students can also look up their required books on the GCC Bookstore website.

If you cannot afford to purchase your required textbooks, assistance is available from GCC (in addition to Financial Aid and Scholarships). Email GCC CARES at CARES@glendale.edu to get help navigating the following programs and other basic needs support available on campus.

These programs provide financial support for purchasing textbooks:

• EOPS: Book support of $200-$350 per semester, if you qualify. Visit www.glendale.edu/EOPS to apply.
• Student Affairs Emergency Book Loan: Receive a loan in the form of bookstore gift cards. This has to be paid back, and you can choose to pay it back through your financial aid. To apply, email aidaa@glendale.edu or visit: https://www.glendale.edu/students/student-activities/student-affairs/services/emergency-book-loans
• GCC CARES Fresh Success Program: Are you receiving CalFresh? If so, funding may be available to support you with the purchase of books. To see if you qualify for Fresh Success, please email FreshSuccess@glendale.edu or visit: https://www.glendale.edu/students/student-services/student-basic-needs/fresh-success
• MCEC Student Communities
• Student Equity Learning Communities

Dual Enrollment, Early College Acceptance Program (ECAP), and Jump Start students, please contact the Welcome Center for information about how to get your textbooks and/or book vouchers.

Glendale Community College offers many classes that use lower cost textbooks or do not require students to purchase a textbook. Find and register for ZTC and LTC classes at glendale.edu/ztc

Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) classes offer free access to all textbooks and course materials used in the class.

Low Textbook Cost (LTC) classes have a textbook and materials cost that is less than $40 total.

Learn about the impact of Zero and Low Textbook Cost courses at GCC >>

Need Help with OER or Textbook Selection? Review the  C&I Finding Textbooks Guide:

Physical Reserves

Faculty may place library or personal materials on reserve for students. To ensure that the maximum number of students can obtain access, we recommend that reserves have a check out period of 3 hours and be in-library use only. However, overnight and 3-day check out periods are also available.

Please submit your request at least one week prior to the date needed by contacting Circulation in person at the Circulation Desk or by phone at x5586.

Electronic Reserves

Electronic reserves will be offered through Alma Digital and our subscription databases beginning January 8, 2024. To request new electronic reserves please contact reserverequests@glendale.edu.

To check for existing reserves, you can use OneSearch.

The GCC Library can purchase required titles that are available online through Library databases. To do this, we work from data provided by the Bookstore. See more about why it's important to list your textbooks with the GCC Bookstore here: What should I consider when requiring a commercial textbook?

If you would like to investigate free alternatives to commercial texts that you can use in your courses (including open educational resources, readings in the public domain, and licensed library materials), please contact Caroline Hallam, OER & Electronic Resources Librarian, at challam@glendale.edu or learn more at OER & Textbook Affordability at GCC.