Affordable Textbooks for EC3 Students
At Erie County Community College, we are committed to keeping your educational costs as low as possible. That is why our faculty prioritize using Open Educational Resources (OER), high-quality, free, and openly licensed texts, whenever possible.
By utilizing OERs, many of your classes won’t require you to purchase a traditional textbook, keeping your out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum.
How to Find and Buy Your Required Texts
If a class does require a traditional textbook or access code instead of an OER, you have the flexibility to shop around and find the best price. EC3 does not operate a traditional retail bookstore, which means you aren’t locked into marked-up campus prices.
- Check Your Class Schedule: Log in to your MyEC3 account to view your current class schedule. Your required textbook information, including the exact title, author, and ISBN, is listed under each individual course.
- Verify the ISBN: Always search for your textbook using the 13-digit ISBN (International Standard Book Number) rather than just the title. This ensures you are buying the exact edition your instructor requires.
- Shop Your Preferred Retailer: Use the textbook details from Workday to purchase or rent your books from third-party online vendors. Popular budget-friendly sites include Amazon, Chegg, AbeBooks, or ThriftBooks. You can choose between new, used, rental, or digital e-book formats depending on what fits your budget.
Need Help Preparing for Classes?
If you are having trouble logging into your MyEC3 account to find your book list, or if you aren’t sure what materials you need for an upcoming semester, our Student Services team is here to help. Contact us or reach out to your academic advisor to ensure you are ready for day one.
