John F. Kennedy University Libraries

At the beginning of every quarter students are given syllabi for all of their classes which list the required books.  But how does one go about finding and using these books?  This guide will demonstrate the steps you should take in tracking down your books.  In short: start with our library, then our virtual bookstore, and finally check outside sources if the first two don’t work.

I. The Library

The first step is to check and see if the library has the book you’re looking for.  Our libraries have many, but not all, of the required books for our students either as course reserves or in ebook form.  The quickest way to see if we have a book is simply to search our catalog at library.jfku.edu for the title of your book.  You can also look up your courses (as detailed here) and see a full list of the books we have for each course, but these listings may not be complete.  Your best bet is always to simply search for the title of the book if you know it.

Note that even if we have a book, that doesn’t mean you’ll get unlimited access to it.  Many of our course reserves are available for a two hour loan only, with the rest being seven day loans.  Some of the ebooks used in courses will be single user only, meaning that only one person will be able to view the book at a time.  If you think you’ll need more consistent access to your book(s) then a better option would be to either buy or rent your own copy.

II. JFKU Virtual Bookstore

If the library doesn’t have the book you need, or if you would simply rather have your own copy, the next step is to check the university’s online bookstore.  To reach the bookstore, go to my.jfku.edu and click the link circled below:

This will take you to our virtual bookstore, where you can buy new or used copies of the required textbooks for your class.  The website is organized by class, so you’ll select each class you’re enrolled in one at a time to see the books required for that class.  Clicking on a book will show you all the different options available to you for buying that book.  Many books have a wide selection of used copies available at lower prices, so don’t forget to check!  Buying through our bookstore ensures that you get the correct edition of the book, saving you the time and energy of having to search for it yourself. 

III. Other Options

If neither of the JFKU options work for you, there are always other ways to get the book.  For example, you can check your local public library for copies of a book you don’t wish to buy.  If you do want to buy a book, our bookstore is your best bet, but you can also check other options such as Amazon (which offers some book rentals in addition to buying books), Half.com, Abebooks, and other book sellers if you'd like.  

Dear University Community,

The JFKU Libraries are happy to present:

The 10th Annual Celebration of Scholarly Works

Call for Submissions

Help us celebrate your work! Each year, JFK University honors faculty, students, alumni, and staff who have made a scholarly or creative contribution in their field. The 10th annual Celebration of Scholarly Works is coming up in June, where we will honor selected JFK University community members at a dessert reception with a certificate of recognition. Additionally, the list of contributions will be available at the celebration and on the JFK University Libraries website. Works owned by the Libraries will be on display at the Robert M. Fisher Library on the Pleasant Hill Campus. You are invited to submit your work!

For consideration: Submissions published, presented, or shown between January 1, 2015– December 31, 2015 will be considered for recognition. Submissions honored at last year's event will not be eligible. Evidence of your work should be provided as an  APA citation including links where applicable. All citations are verified and reviewed by the Celebration of Scholarship committee.

Submission form available HERE.

Submissions are being accepted through May 18, 2016.

Questions and comments? Please contact Jason Dezember at [email protected] or 925-969-3112.