Bookstore FAQs | Langara

Langara Bookstore provides digital course materials (eTexts and access codes) from various distributors. See below for information about each distributor and accessing your materials.

General digital course materials FAQ

Digital course materials come in the form of access codes, eTexts, homework platforms, and other digital assets. They are generally licensed (i.e. you can access it for a certain period of time). An access code is a password used to access to a publisher's online learning/homework system (e.g. MyLab, Connect, Launchpad, MindTap, etc) and may or may not include access to an eText. An eText, or eBook, is a digital (electronic) textbook. Depending on the distributor, it may be viewable via a web browser or a specific app. This section provices a general overview on digital course materials.

Q1. Where can I purchase digital course materials?

The best place to check for the correct material for your course is through the Find My Textbooks Tool.

Access your personalized booklist through the Find My Textbooks Tool by logging in to the Student Information System. Click Registration > Semester Course Schedule, and look for the orange 'Find My Textbooks Tool' link. Read through your options carefully. Digital options may direct you to a third-party website to purchase.

Q2. What do I need in order to access my digital materials?

You will need an internet connection and a computer or electronic device that meets the system and browser requirements of the access code or eText.

Q3. Can I return my digital materials?

Access codes and eTexts are generally final sale products. Please make sure you are confident about your purchase. See below for more information on the policies of specific distributors.

Q4. Are eTexts accessible to people with disabilities?

If the publisher has enabled the 'Read out loud' feature, the eText can be read out loud by your computer. Please contact Langara Accessibility Services for more information regarding the resources available for students with disabilities.

Q5. How long do I have access to the digital material?

Each code is different and restrictions are put in place by publishers. They are usually detailed in the title of the product. Generally, your access will last a minimum of 6 months, but can be 1 year or 2 years depending on the product.

Q6. Can I print or copy text from an eText?

Restrictions on printing and copying text are set by publishers. In most cases, limited printing and copying is allowed.

Q7. Can I read my eText without being connected to the internet?

Some eTexts allow for offline reading or downloading of a specified number of chapters. This will depend on the publisher and/or distributor. See the FAQs below for more information.

Q8. Can I share digital materials with my friends?

Digital materials are licensed to one individual and access codes are one-time use only. They cannot be shared among multiple individuals and are more often than not, linked to your name or student #.

Campus eBookstore Inc (CEI) products

Campus eBookstore Inc (CEI) is a digital course materials distributor. They provide eTexts and access codes from various publishers.

Q1. Where can I purchase eTexts and access codes from CEI?

CEI products can be purchased instantly online from the link provided on your booklist. These links are located at the bottom of each listing. Alternatively, you can also purchase in-store from a cashier.

Q2. What payment methods are accepted for online or in-store CEI purchase?

Online CEI purchases accept payments by Visa, Mastercard, Visa Debit, and Mastercard Debit. Langara Bookstore giftcards are not valid for online CEI purchases because these transactions are processed direct by Campus eBookstore, not Langara Bookstore.

In-store CEI purchases accept payments by cash, debit, Visa, Mastercard, Langara Bookstore giftcard, cheque, or if you are a sponsored student, we can charge your account.

Q3. How do I redeem a CEI Redemption Code purchased in-store?

Follow the instructions given below your redemption code and visit: https://langara.ca/bookstore/textbooks/redeem.html. Enter your email address, read the terms, check ‘I Agree’ and ‘Redeem Product’. Make sure that you’ve typed your email address correctly. Your access code or eText instructions will be emailed to you.

Q4. My in-store Redemption Code isn’t working when I redeem it on the publisher’s website.

Redemption codes are not access codes. Follow the instructions found underneath your redemption code. CEI redemption codes purchased in-store must first be redeemed on our redemption website. Your access code or eText instructions will then be emailed to you.

Q5. How can I access my Campus eBookstore purchases?

When you purchase online or first redeem an in-store redemption code, you are asked to enter an email address and password. This is for your Campus eBookstore account. If ever you need to access your codes or eBook links, login to your Campus eBookstore account and click ‘My EBooks’ or ‘My Access Codes’ on the left-hand side to view the purchases attached to your account.

Q6. I mistyped my email address. What can I do?

You can still access your purchases by logging into Campus eBookstore with the incorrect email address; however, it is recommended that you request a correction to your account. To do this, contact support@campusebookstore.com and include both the incorrect and your correct email addresses.

Q7. My online transaction was declined, but I was still charged. / My credit card was charged multiple times. Help!

Check if the transaction on your card is pending/authorized or if it has been posted. If the transaction is not posted, it means that the funds have not been charged to your account.

If it is still pending/authorized, wait a few business days to see if it disappears or if it posts.

If the transaction has posted, please contact support@campusebookstore.com with a screenshot of your posted transaction and provide the date/approval code (if it is not visible in your screenshot).

Q8. I’m having trouble accessing my eText through BibliU.

Detailed instructions on how to access your materials purchase through Campus eBookstore can be found on BibliU's support website. Sometimes it helps to log out of BibliU, clear your browser cache files and cookies, and log back in. If you are still experiencing errors or difficulties, contact support@campusebookstore.com for assistance.

Q9. How do I use my eText in BibliU? (Navigating BibliU and offline reading)

See BibliU’s support article on using your eBook in BibliU. Find out how to navigate your library, eBook, and how to download your eBook for offline reading.

Q10. I’ve redeemed my access code on the publisher’s website, but I’m having trouble with the Publisher’s platform. Who can I contact for help?

If you have successfully redeemed your code on the publisher's website, but are having issues using the platform (MyLab, Connect, MindTap, Launchpad, Achieve, etc), please contact the help desk of the publisher of your material:

Cengage: https://www.cengage.ca/support/
Human Kinetics: info@hkcanada.com
MacMillan: https://macmillan.force.com/macmillanlearning/s/chat-with-us
McGraw-Hill Ryerson: https://mhedu.force.com/CXG/s/ContactUs
Pearson: https://support.pearson.com/getsupport/s/
Top Hat: https://support.tophat.com/s/
Wiley: https://wpsupport.wiley.com/s/

VitalSource eTexts

VitalSource is a third-party eText distributor. They carry products from various publishers.

Q1. How do I purchase a VitalSource eText?

Click the link provided on your textbook list to be directly linked to the correct product on VitalSource. You can search for other materials on VitalSource, but be sure you are purchasing the correct product. Note: VitalSource purchases are not processed by Langara Bookstore.

Q2. What eText format is provided by VitalSource?

VitalSource provides ePub or PDF format for their eTexts. Read the product page carefully to determine which format is being provided for your particular eText.

Q3. How do I view my VitalSource eText?

All eTexts are viewable through the VitalSource Bookshelf. See here for VitalSource Bookshelf FAQs.

Q4. I’m having trouble with my VitalSource eText – who can I contact?

Please contact VitalSource customer support for assistance.

Q5. What is the refund policy for VitalSource eTexts?

Different publishers have different return policies on VitalSource. Refer to VitalSource for their refund policies. Note: Langara Bookstore does not process these transactions.

Q1. How does buyback work?

Simply bring your textbooks to the buyback desk during the scheduled period and if your book is eligible, you will be offered up to 50% of the new retail price for your book. This buyback is cashless so please be sure to have your credit or debit card with you.

Whether we buy back your book is based on a number of factors so it is important to note that there is no guarantee that we will buy back your book.

For textbooks bought back for use at Langara Bookstore, you will receive 50% of the current new retail price, regardless of whether you originally purchased it new or used.

For textbooks bought back for the wholesaler, you will received whatever value has been established by them in the North American marketplace.

Q2. Is there a book list for the books you are buying back?

We don't produce a list because our buyback is run by a third party used book wholesaler company. This company could produce a list of over 60,000 books and the list can be constantly changing.

Q3. Do you buy back all books? / Why won't you buy back my book?

No, not all books are eligible for buyback. We only buy titles that are being used for the upcoming semester and that meet certain requirements. Books are either bought for Langara Bookstore or for the wholesale used book company.

There are a number of reasons why we might not buy back your book. The reason could be:

We have met our quota for the title.
It is not being used for the upcoming semester.
It is a loose-leaf (binder ready) format.
It is a coursepack.
It is a digital material (eText or access code).
The book has a required access code component.
There is water damage, spine damage, etc.
There is excessive wear and tear, excessive highlighting or notes.
The book is an old edition.

Q4. How much can I get for my book?

For books that are being bought for Langara Bookstore, 50% of the current new retail price will be offered. If the book is being bought for the wholesale company, they will offer a wholesale price, which is determined by supply and demand across North America. Some books may have no resale value because they are old editions or no longer being used at Langara or other campuses.

Q5. Where can I donate or recycle my outdated books?

Please consider donating books and other materials to one of the charitable organizations listed on the Recycling Council of British Columbia website. The Recyclepedia tool lets you search by city and material type (e.g., softcover book, hardcover book, textbook, ebook reader).

Books can be recycled at the Vancouver Zero-Waste Centre.