Top Textbooks at GW Libraries

$565,424 in textbook savings 

Based on individual checkouts between Fall 2017 and Spring 2020.

During the Spring 2020 semester transition to virtual learning, we were fortunate that digital textbook providers Red Shelf and VitalSource made their textbooks freely available and those included almost all of our Top Textbooks. That provision is no longer available so the libraries have suspended the Top Textbooks program for the 2020-21 academic year.

However, textbooks in the collection from previous semesters are available for students to check out.  

These books will display as 'Requestable Reserves'. 

Students can request these books through Gelman Library's Book Retrieval and Contact-Free Pick Up service.

A 6-week borrowing period applies, and books that are lost or more than 40 days overdue will incur lost book fines.

Students experiencing emergency need for textbook/course materials support should use the GW Cares Student Assistance Fund application online (under Emergency Funding, Expenses Other Than Tuition).

We strongly urge students to contact their instructors to let them know the impact the textbook publishers’ policies have on you and to urge them to adopt open educational resources for their courses. The libraries’ open education resources team is available to assist faculty in finding quality materials and integrating those into a course. Questions or Suggestions

Please contact any member of the open educational resources team with questions or suggestions:

Dorinne Banks
Ashley Blount
Jon Damrau   
Morgan Stoddard

Looking for Assistance with Financial Insecurity?

The Store: GW's Food Pantry provides food, toiletries, and school supplies to students facing insecurity. Through the Financial Aid Office, emergency funding is also available to students in some situations.