Textbook Info

Welcome to the NAIT Bookstore.

This page is to better help you understand our operating procedures. We are committed to fast, friendly and professional service. We hope we answer as many of your questions as possible. For further information or clarification please contact our customer service line at 780-471-7717.

Ask us anything:

What is "rush"?

  • It is the first two weeks of school each semester.
  • It is extremely busy due to the fact that all students are purchasing course books.
  • Additional staff, registers and operating hours are provided to better serve you. We apologize for any inconvenience. In order to avoid long lines at the register, we suggest you shop in the early morning or in the evening.

How does the Bookstore decide which books to order?

  • Faculty members select the books or NAIT Course Packages required for their classes. It is the Bookstore's responsibility to provide those books.

When are books available for the upcoming semester?

  • The majority of the textbooks for the upcoming semester are available approximately two weeks prior to the start of classes.
  • Occasionally, a late order is placed by a faculty member which we will process immediately and get the books on the shelf as soon as they are received, usually 21 days.

Where does the Bookstore get the textbooks?

  • New books are purchased from the publisher of that book.
  • Used books are purchased from students at Buyback and from used book companies.
  • NAIT Course Packages (NCPs) and Individual Learning Modules (ILMs) are printed at NAIT Learning Resources on campus.

What is  a NAIT Course Package (NCP)?

  • Very often the faculty prepare custom designed course packets. The packets can include a variety of different material including compendiums of different books or periodicals, books-in-progress, workbooks, out-of-print books, lab manuals, and syllabi.
    The packets are prepared through the Learning Resource Centre on campus
  • Pricing of each course packet is determined by the quantity of material (pictures, graphs, color versus black and white) being used and whether copyright royalties must be paid.

How do I find my textbooks?

  • Books are arranged vertically on the shelves and by technology, then alpha-numerically by course number.
  • If a textbook is used by more than three technologies, these books are stacked normally in a common area at the front of a gondola.
  • Customer service personnel are provided to help you locate your books. In addition, signs are displayed to help direct you to the correct location.
  • Note: Stack areas are set up during "rush" to accommodate large volumes of textbooks used for a particular class.

What if my book is not on the shelf and there is no shelf tag?

  • Please go to the customer service area located in the center of the store for assistance.

Are there any refunds on textbooks?

  • Textbook refunds are allowed within three weeks of purchase. All refunds must be accompanied by the original receipt and ID. Remember, books must be in resaleable condition to receive a full refund. Refunds will not be given for textbooks that were purchased within one month of the official completion of the relevant NAIT course or program. Please check our refund policy for more detailed information.

Are the books available to purchase the entire semester?

  • Yes for the most part. We return unsold books to the publisher within a specified time limit. New books must be in mint condition in order for us to receive credit from the publisher.
  • This process is ongoing and done as required. Therefore, it is important that you purchase your textbooks close to the beginning of the course. Don't wait!

How are your textbooks priced?

  • New textbooks are determined by:
    1.Publisher price
    2.Margin
    3.Extra course materials packaged with the book (i.e. disks)
  • Unlike other retail products there is no price competition for a new textbook.
    Due to copyright laws, there is only one publisher per book title. When we fill a faculty member's order for a textbook we must purchase the book from the publisher of that book.
  • Books are priced to cover the cost involved in providing you with your books. These costs include personnel, product shipping and receiving, utilities, etc.

What is the Bookstore doing to lower the high cost of textbooks?

  • The Bookstore works hard to keep prices at the lowest level possible by operating a strong buyback program, and offering adequate quantity of used textbooks.
  • We also try to offset the increasing cost on textbooks by offering higher margin items within the store at competitive market prices. 
    Unlike most college stores we hold onto our book returns until the last possible moment. This often lowers the cost of the books, since we are not subjected to the publishers increased costs.
  • We will continue to strive to keep our prices low and our level of service high.

When should I buy my books?

  • Caution should be used when purchasing books before the beginning of any course. We recommend going to class before buying your books unless you have received a book list from the program.
  • Books on a list for a future term will generally not be available and should not be purchased until approximately two weeks before the start of the term.