Textbooks

DKU Textbook Policy for 2024 Fall Semester
Duke Kunshan University
July 2024

Duke Kunshan University is an e-preferred campus. The majority of textbooks will be purchased in eBook format according to price and availability from the publishers. eBooks can be read on a variety of devices and operating systems, and support is available to ensure students have access to their textbooks each session.

Please note: this policy is subject to change. Any changes will be communicated accordingly. 

Categories: Required and Recommended

There are two categories of DKU course textbooks:

  1. Required: Students are required to purchase these through the university or other legal channels. It is mandatory for students to have one copy of each required book for the courses in which they are enrolled.
  2. Recommended: These are optional readings recommended by the instructor. Students are not required to purchase them.

Format 

Textbooks will be available in one of three formats: 

  1. eBook from the Publisher
  2. eBook from the Library Catalogue
  3. Printed textbook

Notes

  • The textbook format is dependent on availability and price.
  • If DKU Library can purchase a multi-user eBook version of a textbook, students will not be required to purchase that textbook.
  • Printed textbooks will only be purchased when eBook versions are not available.
  • Some courses may have other requirements, such as external hard drives, model kits, etc. These items are purchased and distributed in the same way as textbooks, and the following procedures and policies apply.

Purchase

Required textbooks

  • The university will purchase all required textbooks through authorized book vendors and distribute them to students registered in a course.
  • The textbook fee will be deducted from the student’s prepaid textbook fee unless the student has submitted the Duke Kunshan University Textbook Fee Exemption Form.

Recommended textbooks

  • DKU Library will have one copy of each recommended textbook on Course Reserve (see Library Course Reserve section below). Students are free to purchase any of the recommended textbooks directly on their own.

Price & Payment

  • The textbook fee covers the required textbooks used in the courses in which students enroll and is comprised of several components, such as book price, import fee, freight charge, tax, etc. The university does not make any profit from these purchases.
  • The textbook fee will be charged to the student’s account and deducted from the student’s prepaid textbook fee by the end of each semester.

Distribution

  • Textbooks will be distributed during two rounds: on the 1st teaching day and after the Drop/Add period.
  • Information about accessing eBooks and collecting printed textbooks will be provided via email.
  • In most cases, students taking courses with the same textbook as a prerequisite course will not need to purchase the textbook again.

Access

  • Instructions for accessing eBook versions of textbooks will be shared at the time of distribution. Students should monitor their DKU email address for notifications.
  • DKU Library staff from the Learning Resources Management Unit are available throughout the semester to help students troubleshoot access issues.

Library Course Reserve

  • DKU Library provides two printed copies of each required textbook and one printed copy of each recommended textbook listed in the course syllabus for Course Reserve.
  • Course Reserve books can be borrowed for three hours. The short-term loan ensures more students can access the book throughout the session.
  • Course Reserve books are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Course Reserve is not a substitute for purchasing textbooks.
  • Course Reserve books are placed on the smart bookshelves in Library #1008, on the 1st floor of the Library building.

Enquiries

Contact person

Xue QIU, Senior Coordinator for Outreach and Learning Resource Management