Do you purchase textbooks?
Answer
Generally, no.
Unfortunately, textbooks get outdated quickly. The library also has a limited budget and if we purchased textbooks for every course and program at Heritage, we would use most of our book budget!
However, sometimes we do make exceptions. If a faculty member suggests a textbook because it is a classic or exceptional resource, we will review the request by considering its cost, longevity, and availability through partner institutions.
A note about eTextbooks
Many textbooks available in digital format cannot be purchased from a number of publishers due to licensing constraints. Some publishers simply do not allow libraries to purchase textbooks. These publishers include Pearson, Cengage, Houghton, McGraw Hill, Oxford University Press Canada (Textbook Division), Elsevier imprints Mosby and Saunders, and Thieme.
What is considered a textbook?
When we talk about textbooks, we're referring to books printed by publishers like the ones listed above. The library often purchases supplementary materials that are not classified as textbooks. Simply make a purchase suggestion and we'll review your request and respond within 10 business days.