Textbooks
Boxcar Books and Community Center -
Your local alternative to corporate textbook buying!
Why did your instructor order books through Boxcar Books instead of TIS or the IU Bookstore?
Some instructors prefer to support local businesses rather than the larger corporate bookstores. Boxcar Books is also a volunteer-powered, non-profit organization that funds The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project, a literacy group that benefits prisoners across the United States. Boxcar Books focuses on small and independent presses and alternative forms of media, provides a free meeting space for community groups, and acts as a venue for local artists and writers. Buying your textbooks is a must, so why not spend money locally and support the Bloomington community?!
Click HERE for list of courses Boxcar is carrying for Summer 2013. Instructors: Visit the instructor page
Store Hours
Monday-Friday 11am-9pm
Saturday 10am-9pm
Sunday 10am-5pm
Textbook Return Policy
Textbooks bought for Summer 2013 courses can be returned with a receipt a full week after the start of the course. After this date books can be returned only with a receipt and written proof from IU that the class was dropped.
Returned books need to be in original condition or else the return will not be accepted.
Refunds are given in the original form of payment.
Buybacks at Boxcar
We will be buying back selected books at the end of the semester between the dates of April 22nd and May 6th. A receipt is not necessary for buybacks.
FAQ
Q. What forms of payment does Boxcar Books accept?
A. Boxcar Books takes cash, personal checks (with a valid state-issued ID), MasterCard or Visa. We do not accept Campus Access and cannot bill to the bursar, as we are not affiliated with IU. We also cannot accept starter checks.
Q. What is The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project?
A. The Midwest Pages to Prisoners Project (MWPP) is an all volunteer effort that strives to encourage self-education among prisoners in the United States. By providing free reading materials upon request, MWPP hopes to aid in the rehabilitation process and stimulate critical thinking behind bars. MWPP is an organization made up of volunteers working in their spare time to provide free books to prisoners. MWPP volunteers are concerned citizens and activists interested in rehabilitation, rather than punishment. The project exists to alleviate pain, boredom, and attrition and to provide a direct opportunity for self-education. Additionally, MWPP exists because prison libraries sometimes fail in this respect, and are understocked, or are only able to be patronized during specific and limited hours. More info and volunteer opportunities can be found at www.pagestoprisoners.org.
Q. If I call ahead, will Boxcar hold textbooks for me?
A. Sorry, but Boxcar will not hold any textbooks. Textbooks are first come, first serve.
Q. I noticed that some courses have a ton of used textbooks, but my course doesn't have any. What gives?
A. At Boxcar, we order as many used textbooks as are available from our used book distributors. Sometimes used copies are just not available, especially when textbooks are new editions. Also, please keep in mind that used copies are normally purchased first, so if you come a ways into the semester it is unlikely that used copies will still be available.
