Did You Know You Can Check Out Textbooks from the Library?

Covers of textbooks available to check out from Duke Libraries


As the fall 2024 semester gets underway, we want to remind students that you can check out copies of textbooks for some Duke courses from the library.

The books include required texts for some of Duke’s most popular courses in Chemistry, Math, Computer Science, Biology, Psychology, and other subjects. They can be checked out for three hours at a time and are available at the Perkins Library Service Desk.

Visit our website to see a complete listing of the textbooks on reserve (NetID login required).

We also have a number of semester-loan textbooks available to check out for an entire semester at a time. Students can find these on the main floor of Perkins Library near the New & Noteworthy Collection.

Library bookshelf with textbooks available to check out
Semester-loan textbooks available in Perkins Library, near the New & Noteworthy Collection on the main floor.

Top Textbooks is one of our most popular library services, and students regularly tell us how much they appreciate it. And no wonder, when the cost of a single textbook can often exceed $300. We also encourage students to donate their textbooks to us at the end of the year, so that future students can check them out. It’s just one small way we’re working to make a Duke education more affordable for all.

Please note: The Top Textbooks program is not intended to take the place of students purchasing textbooks for their courses. Due to budget limitations, the Libraries are unable to purchase textbooks for every course at Duke.

Find Out More

For more information about our textbook donation program, please contact Jeremy Martin, Reserves Coordinator in Perkins Library.