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Locating an ISBN

What are ISBNs?

International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) are distinctive 10-digit codes used to identify a particular book. These codes and numbers are used to identify the exact item you wish to buy or sell.

How to Identify ISBNs

You will find the ISBN packaging and/or back cover of your book.

Do not include hyphens when entering these numbers. However, if the 10-digit ISBN ends with the letter X, be sure to include it.

Wholesale Textbook Pricing

Iowa Central Community College works with textbook wholesale companies to secure additional copies of used books, or books that may not have been available during our campus buyback period. We also work with textbook wholesalers to help us buy more textbooks from Iowa Central Community College students when Iowa Central Community College instructors haven't specified a certain textbook to be used again the following semester. We rely on textbook wholesalers to purchase these books from students and for redistribution to other universities that are using the text. However, as there are costs involved with wholesalers, those texts are typically bought back at a lower "wholesale" rate (which are most often lower than our standard buyback rates).

Textbook Conditions: Like New, Very Good, Good, Poor

Like New - To be used only when the book is in the same immaculate condition to which it was published. There can be no defects, no page tears, no highlighting, no missing pages, no library stamps, etc., and the dust jacket and/or cover must be perfect, without any tears or scuffs.

Very Good - A book in very good condition has clearly been read but is in fantastic shape. The book may have a few scratches and show some minor signs of wear or other cosmetic blemishes, but generally has very little to no highlighting or markings.

Good - Describes the average used textbook that shows some small signs of wear. A used book is considered in good condition even when it contains highlighting, margin notes, or other markings (with the exception of study guides, which must be clean). However, books must be generally clean in appearance with no torn pages and with the cover or dust jacket intact.

Poor - Describes a book that is sufficiently worn, to the point that its only merit is as a Reading Copy because it does have the complete text, which must be legible. This copy may be soiled, scuffed, stained or spotted and may have loose joints, hinges, pages, etc.

Learn how we stock used books.

Iowa Central Community College stocks a complete inventory of new and used textbooks, specifically for Iowa Central Community College. Our used textbook stock primarily consists of textbooks purchased during our buyback programs. However, if we do not get enough supply from buyback, we must order additional used inventory from a wholesale supplier - supplemented with new textbooks from the publisher. This is just another reason why it is important for you to sell your textbooks back to your local bookstore. By selling your books back to Iowa Central Community College, you help make sure used textbooks are available for other Iowa Central Community College students at the most reasonable prices possible.