Bookstore

What has changed about the bookstore?

Oberlin has partnered with eCampus.com to be our official online bookstore and with University Gear Shop to operate our modernized Campus Store, which will be located on the first floor of Mudd Center by fall 2025. Previously, the College Bookstore (operated by Barnes & Noble) served as the official supplier of course materials and apparel for our campus. The College Bookstore will close in June, with plans in the works to reallocate the space for academic programs.

Why did we change it?

For years, Oberlin faculty have requested improvements to the process of selecting and obtaining course materials, making it easier to choose a wide array of materials and ensure that students are able to access quality materials in a timely manner and at reasonable prices. The changes also respond to shifting trends in student buying habits and how campuses operate bookstores nationwide. Through eCampus.com, we can ensure that all students have a wide range of options for their course materials, timely delivery to the Campus Store or other location of their choice, and the guaranteed lowest price. 

With UGS, we can offer high-quality, Oberlin-branded apparel and other merchandise in a welcoming location at the heart of campus and through pop-up events around campus at key times of year.

When will I be able to order course materials using the Online Bookstore?

Course materials for fall semester courses will be available in July 2025.

Why order through the Online Bookstore?

As Oberlin’s official bookstore, eCampus.com guarantees you will receive the correct course items at the best possible prices, and in plenty of time for your classes. 

How do I order books?

Once you have registered for classes, simply log on to the Online Bookstore site using your Oberlin single sign-on credentials. Your course schedule and necessary materials will be clearly visible.

When will the bookstore site be live?

Faculty may begin making course adoptions in May 2025. Students will begin selecting course materials in July. Oberlin’s Online Bookstore website link will be shared when the site is ready for use.

Where do the books come from?

Course materials ordered through the Online Bookstore are stored at eCampus.com’s central facility in Lexington, Kentucky—a convenient location for efficient delivery. 

How soon will I get my books?

eCampus.com monitors all orders daily to ensure you receive course materials as quickly as possible. It uses first-day UPS delivery, which means that most orders placed by 11 a.m. will be shipped the same day and arrive the following day.

Books are shipped based on availability. The availability of each book will be indicated under the condition of each item. If a book is in stock and your order is placed before 11 a.m. Eastern Time, it will ship the same day. Any orders placed after 11 a.m. will ship the next business day. If all items are not in stock at the time you place your order, it will be held and shipped once the entire order is filled. If it is within two (2) weeks of the course start date, items will ship as they are available, and you may receive multiple packages. Your books will be shipped via your selected shipping method at checkout. Books are shipped and delivered Monday through Friday.

Where will my books be shipped?

You may ship your order anywhere you choose. When entering shipping information, you may have the option to check the “Ship to Campus” box to ship directly to the Campus Store. You will receive email and text message alerts (if you choose to opt in) when your package is shipped and delivered.

Will the price of course materials be affected by the new system?

All materials purchased or rented through the Online Bookstore include a lowest-price guarantee. Learn more on eCampus.com’s price match page.

Can I use financial aid funds on the Online Bookstore?

Yes. Students with a credit balance on their financial aid may request a refund from the Office of Student Accounts (Carnegie Building Room 122; studentaccounts@oberlin.edu). That refund can be applied to your student ID and used for course materials.

Can I rent books?

Yes, the Online Bookstore offers rental options in addition to a wide range of new and used options for purchase.

How can I get help with other questions?

Contact the Online Bookstore customer service department anytime at oberlin.ecampus.com/help.

Why are there no course materials listed for a class?

If you do not see any course materials listed for a particular class, this could be because the course materials have not been finalized or are not required by the professor. You will need to check back to see if any course materials have been added.

Will textbook prices change?

The goal of eCampus.com is to offer students the most competitive price for their textbooks. Textbook prices are subject to change based on market prices and inventory conditions.

What are Marketplace books?

Marketplace is a section of Oberlin’s Online Bookstore that offers books listed and shipped by third-party, independent sellers, such as other students and parents. These sellers have two (2) business days after your order is placed to ship the order. Please read each item’s description before ordering, as each Marketplace book has its own condition, description, and shipping cost. Not all Marketplace items are available for expedited shipping, and these items will arrive separately from the rest of your order. Marketplace orders may be subject to shipping fees.

What payment methods do you accept?

The Online Bookstore accepts credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover) and Visa and MasterCard debit cards, as well as PayPal and Apple Pay. For more information, please visit the Online Help Desk located at the bottom of the Online Bookstore homepage.

When will my credit or debit card be charged?

Your credit or debit card will be authorized and charged upon placing your order. If you are renting books, your credit card will remain on file in case the rented books are not returned or are returned damaged.

Why do I need to enter credit card information if I am paying with a different payment method?

You are required to enter your credit card information if you select to rent any of your books. Your credit card will be charged the price of a new book only if your rental book is not returned by the due date (indicated at the time of your order) or returned damaged. In order for your credit card to be accepted, it must have an expiration date later than the rental due date. The credit card you provide as collateral for rentals will not be charged if your rental books are returned on time and in good condition.

If I don’t have a debit or credit card, can I still order?

If you do not have a debit or credit card to make a payment online, you can mail a check or money order along with a printed copy of your order. The check must cover the cost of the order plus any applicable tax and shipping.

Your order will be processed once the check or money order has cleared. You cannot rent books if you pay with a check or money order.

Please provide the following information if you wish to pay by check or money order:

• Name of school
• Registered courses
• Title, ISBN, quantity, and condition (new, used, or digital) of each book you need to order
• Preferred shipping method
• Shipping address
• Email address
• Phone number

Send the above information along with your payment to:

eCampus.com
ATTN: Higher Ed. Online Bookstores
2415 Palumbo Drive
Lexington, KY 40509

Where can I find my order information, order status, etc?

Select Login/Sign Up in the upper-right corner of your Online Bookstore website. After signing in, you can select My Account to check the status of your order, buyback, or return. If you have any other questions, visit your Online Bookstore Help Desk (oberlin.ecampus.com/help).

Can I return books I don’t need?

Yes, course materials can be returned within 15 days of the start of classes.

How do I sell my textbooks back to the Online Bookstore?

You can sell textbooks online, 24/7 on the Online Bookstore website by following these simple steps:

1. Visit your Online Bookstore (oberlin.ecampus.com) and select Sell from the drop-down menu.

2. Enter the ISBN of the book(s) you wish to sell. Up to eight (8) books may be entered at a time. Once all ISBNs have been entered, select Get Quote.

3. You will receive a quote for each book. Select the Sell This Book box for the book(s) you wish to sell, then select the Sell This Book or Sell These Books.

4. Review your buyback cart and select Sell This Book or Sell These Books.

5. Sign in to your account or select Create Account.

6. Select a payment option and enter your shipping information. You can choose to receive buyback credit, direct deposit (via ACH), or a check.

   1. If buyback credit is selected, an additional bonus will be added to the buyback amount. The credit will be available on the payment screen at checkout when future orders are placed.

7. Select Complete to confirm your transaction and view and print your pre-paid UPS label and packing slip. Insert the packing slip with the book(s) you are selling and affix the UPS label to the outside of your package. Take your package to The UPS Store.

   1. Be sure to take your books to the UPS Store and NOT the Post Office.

8. Wait for your payment!

   1. Check and direct deposit may take up to 4-6 business days after delivery to the Online Bookstore warehouse.

   2. In-store credit should be available within 3-5 business days of delivery to the warehouse.

Questions? Visit oberlin.ecampus.com/help.

When can I begin my course adoptions?

Faculty access to eCampus.com’s faculty ordering site—the FAST portal—will be available by May 1, 2025. You will receive instructions for accessing your account via email.

How can I learn about making course adoptions through eCampus?

Faculty training sessions will be available May 7 and 8. If you are unable to attend, please reach out to oberlin@ecampus.com for support.

How do I submit my textbook adoptions?

Log in to the FAST portal by entering your Oberlin single sign-on information. Upon logging in, your course list should automatically appear. Choose the course you wish to edit. You may also use the search bar to locate a specific course or change the semester by selecting the filters underneath it. To add an adoption, select the Add Adoptions button. (If there are no course materials required, select the box next to “Textbooks are not required for this course.”) Enter the ISBN into the ISBN/UPC/Product field and choose the Importance level.

When are my textbook orders due?

Adoptions are due approximately six weeks prior to the date they are scheduled to be available for student ordering. This allows eCampus.com adequate time to check publisher availability and communicate problem titles prior to students ordering course materials. The Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) has provisions to reduce costs to students while supporting instructors’ ability to select high-quality course materials. HEOA requires that course book information be made available to students before they enroll in a course. eCampus.com complies with HEOA by asking faculty to submit course adoptions to eCampus.com so they can be listed accordingly. Receiving course adoptions prior to the adoption deadline allows us to buy back textbooks from your students at premium pricing at the end of each semester and resell them at a discounted price in the future as used or rental textbooks.

My course says “textbooks to be determined.” What does that mean?

Until an adoption is added to a course, or the “Textbooks are not required for this course” option is selected, each course will default to “Textbooks to be determined” status. This allows eCampus.com to remain HEOA compliant while also informing students to return at a later date. If books are added after the deadline, a course will automatically be marked as “Textbooks to be determined” for 24-48 hours. This allows eCampus.com enough time to confirm publisher availability. You will be notified if an issue with your selected text adoption exists.

I want to use the same book as last semester but can’t remember the ISBN. How do I add this book?

You may view past adoptions by selecting the View Adoption History button located under the Course Adoptions Details bar. Simply check the box next to the book you wish to add and select Add Adoptions.

I would like to have a course pack or other custom learning material created; can you assist?

Yes. We will work with a custom publishing company to have an ISBN assigned to your course pack. Please contact your account management team at oberlin@ecampus.com for more information.

I tried to add a custom book but it said the item was not in the product catalog. How do I list this book? How do I list materials that are not books?

If you attempt to add a book or product that is not in the product catalog (custom books, course packs, foreign titles, calculators, lab coats, clickers, etc.), select the “Click Here” link to send your eCampus.com team a message.

We ask that you provide all information you find may be helpful to assist us in adding this book or product to our catalog. After this item is created, we will add it to the course on your behalf and email you confirmation once this is complete.

I submitted my adoption for one course, but all sections will be using it. Do I have to add this into every course individually?

No, you may add the same book into several sections by entering one course. After you have added an adoption and approved it for one section, select the Copy All button and choose the course(s) you wish to duplicate the adoption(s) to.

How do I remove an adoption from my course?

Adoptions may be removed only through FAST before the deadline. To remove, select the X to the right of the book comments textbox. To remove adoptions after the deadline, you must email your eCampus.com team. This allows our customer service team to contact students who may have already ordered the item.

How can I check the price of a book before I add it to my course?

Prices as well as purchasing options may be reviewed by using the Adoption Tool at the top of the FAST page. Enter the ISBN in the search bar, then select Details. 

How do I get a desk copy of a book?

After a book is added to a course, a Request Desk Copy button will appear near it. You may also search any book in the Adoption Tool at the top of the FAST screen and request a desk copy from the Details page. After a request is submitted, the eCampus.com team will receive an automatic email and request it directly from the publisher on your behalf. Please note: Desk copies are distributed at the compliance of the publisher and are never guaranteed.

The Campus Store hasn’t opened yet. How can I get Oberlin apparel and other merchandise?

We have established a Zazzle pop-up store with a limited selection of Oberlin-branded merchandise. Also, UGS will operate a series of pop-up events on campus during signature events such as Commencement and Milestone Reunion Weekend.

By early June, an interim Campus Store location will be open on campus. The location will be announced in mid-May.

When will the new Campus Store open?

The Campus Store will debut in its new location on the first floor of Mudd Center in fall 2025, following summer renovations to the space.

I love Azariah’s. Why are you changing it?

Azariah’s will continue to operate in its current location, and the popular coffee shop will accommodate as many guests as it previously has. The current configuration of the space, including some seating, will be modified to accommodate the new Campus Store in a bustling, centralized campus location. The overall number of seats and tables in Azariah’s will not change.

What’s happening to Mudd Center’s periodicals section?

There will continue to be a periodicals section. Creating the Campus Store in Mudd Center requires relocating the library’s periodicals section. By creatively reenvisioning the first-floor space, the periodicals section will be reestablished in a currently underutilized area of the Academic Commons (first floor), adjacent to the Campus Store and Azariah’s.

Is Mudd Center swipe-access only on weekends? If so, how will guests visit the Campus Store?

Mudd Center is a swipe-access building open to all members of the campus community on weekends. In instances where weekend visitors are expected who may want to shop at the Campus Store, a pop-up location will be available.

What will happen to the College Street bookstore space?

We are currently considering options for using the space at 37 West College Street and will share those plans when they are confirmed.