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Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$)

A guide to Affordable Learning Solutions (AL$) at California State University - Dominguez Hills (CSUDH).

Where to Find Affordable Textbooks

Looking for affordable or campus-supported learning materials? Whether you need budget-friendly options or official university resources, we’ve got you covered. Explore the links below to find textbooks, research materials, and other helpful tools to support your learning journey.

University Library

female student working on laptop in CSUDH library

Resources available for free from the University Library, designed to support student success and save you money.

  • AL$ Textbook List
    • Search by course number to see if your textbooks are available in the Library. This list includes both ebooks and print books.
  • Textbook & Course Reserves
    • Print books on Course Reserve may be library books, materials lent by your professor, or additional copies the Library has rented.
    • They are kept behind the Reserves desk on the 2nd floor and can be borrowed for up to 2 hours, ensuring all students have access.
  • Onesearch (University Library Database)
    • Online tool for finding books, articles, and other resources in one place.
    • Allows students to search the library catalog, request materials, and access digital content easily.

University Bookstore

bookstore staff member posing in-front in the bookstore

The University Bookstore partners with the AL$ program to help you save on costs. Here are some of the services they offer.

  • Textbook Rentals
    • Rent or buy used textbooks at reduced prices.
    • Older editions of textbooks often have minor differences and are significantly cheaper.
  • Immediate Access Program
    • The DH Immediate Access (IA) program provides students with digital textbooks at a reduced cost.
    • Courses are enrolled by the instructor.
    • No upfront funds needed to pay for materials.
    • The charge is applied directly to the student’s tuition account as a miscellaneous fee. Visit the IA website for more information.

Public Resources

Public Libraries

Logo of the Los Angeles County Public Library system

The LA County Library and Los Angeles Public Library provide free access to many resources you may use in class. You can easily sign up without visiting in person through the LA Country Library digital library card application.

  • Kanopy
    • If you are assigned to watch a film in class and we don’t have it in the CSUDH Kanopy library, request it from your public library instead.
  • Popular Materials
    • Novels, comics, biographies, and other popular reading materials can usually be found at the public library.

Online Resources

Logo of slug books website characters sitting on a stack of books

Though not affiliated with CSUDH, SlugBooks is a website that helps students save money on textbooks by comparing prices across various online retailers (Amazon, Chegg, Google, Vitalsource, and others), ensuring students can find the cheapest available options.