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Finding Information: Books & Ebooks

Collection Development Resource Request

Books & Ebooks

Search books, ebooks, and articles for

You'll find hundreds of thousands of ebooks in our library catalog.  You can also search ebook collections directly from the vendor platforms using the links below.

For specialty ebook collections, such as O'Reilly for Higher Education, IGI, and other publishers, see a list of all our Ebook databases here.

Complete the Tipasa Request form with information on the item you need or select the "Request through Interlibrary Loan" option available in WorldCat. Contact the University Librarian at library@harrisburgu.edu with any questions.  The librarian will obtain the book and contact you when it is ready to pick up. 

Other libraries:

  • State Library of Pennsylvania:  Only a block away and open to all residents of the state of Pennsylvania.  A picture ID is required to get a library card. 
  • Dauphin County Library System
    • Dauphin County residents may check out books with a library card. 
    • Residents of other counties may use their county library system.
    • Non-PA residents may apply for a library card for free at any DCLS location.  Simply bring proof of current enrollment at HU, and you will be able to obtain a library card, providing you with access to their physical and digital resources and services.
  • Free Library of Philadelphia
  • Libraries across the U.S.:  Make an interlibrary loan request and we can obtain a copy of almost any item you need, free of charge to you.

Please note: the Harrisburg University Library does not regularly provide course textbooks. For more information, contact library@harrisburgu.edu.

Visit the HU Online Bookstore

Textbook Instructions

We are happy to have you at HU this semester!

For your convenience, HU has contracted with Ambassador for all your textbook needs.  The required and/or recommended books and course materials for courses are listed in our bookstore at  https://www.harrisburgubookstore.com.

However, you are not obligated to purchase your textbooks from our bookstore. You may purchase your textbooks from other vendors including, for example, Abebooks, Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Books-a-Million (BAM), or Valorebooks.

Although you may obtain favorable pricing from other textbook sources, HU only contracts with Ambassador and cannot guarantee the quality or timeliness of another textbook vendor. HU assumes no responsibility for problems/issues that may arise by ordering from any alternate textbook source.

Should you purchase from another vendor, your purchase must meet the textbook requirements advertised for each registered course. Prior to purchasing from elsewhere, please confirm that the textbook you are purchasing matches the following information:

  • Full name of the book as identified for your HU Course;
  • Correct book edition; and
  • Correct ISBN.

Your textbooks may be new, used, rented, or in an electronic medium so long as they match the assigned and advertised textbook for your class.

Lastly, please order all required textbooks in a timely manner so they are in your possession for the first day of class.

Self-Checkout Instructions

1. Place your ID against the card reader.
2. Place your books on the brown square in front of the monitor. Wait for the titles of each book to appear in the Check Out list and light up green.
3. Select "Done".

4. Check your HU email for the loan receipt with the due date(s).

Note: If something doesn’t check out or you receive an error message, contact the Library at Library@HarrisburgU.Edu with your student ID number, HU item barcode number (on front cover), and the error message.