FAQs

MINES BOOKSTORE

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• HOW DOES THE BOOKSTORE DETERMINE WHICH BOOKS I NEED?  Textbooks for your courses are determined by your faculty members.  They submit their adoptions to Mines Bookstore and it acquires your books from used book wholesalers and new book publishers.  It's important you have your course schedule available when reserving or purchasing textbooks.

• HOW MUCH WILL MY TEXTBOOKS COST THIS YEAR?   Costs will depend upon your course load and the particular courses you are taking.  Most students should budget approximately $1000-$1200/academic year for textbook purchases.

• WHAT IF I BUY THE WRONG BOOK FROM MINES BOOKSTORE?  You have until the date indicated on your receipt to return any unwanted books for a full refund.  You are required to have your receipt.  Make sure you have all the items that came with the book (many books are bundled with several components).  See the return policy for details.

• WHEN CAN I BUY MY BOOKS FOR THE UPCOMING SEMESTER?  Textbooks will be available for purchase in the store 1 week before courses begin.  Keep in mind that late deliveries from publishers, late adoptions from faculty members, addition of courses offered, etc. may affect the availability of your textbooks.

• WHAT DO I NEED TO SELECT MY BOOKS?  You may complete a textbook reservation  online and Mines Bookstore's staff will select your books for you OR you may stop in the store and purchase your books in person 1 week prior to the beginning of the semester.  Be sure to bring your course schedule with you if you're going to do your own textbook shopping.  Bookstore staff  will be happy to assist you when you pick out your books.

• CAN I USE FINANCIAL AID TO PURCHASE MY TEXTBOOKS?  If you have financial aid remaining after tuition and fees are paid in full, you may be able to make arrangements with the Student Accounts/Cashiers Office for textbook purchases.  Speak with Student Account/Cashiers Office personnel for details.

• DOES MINES BOOKSTORE ACCEPT PHONE CREDIT CARD ORDERS?  Yes.  The customer must provide the necessary information including the security number from the back of the credit card.

• IF I DO A TEXTBOOK RESERVATION, WHEN AND WHERE DO I GET MY BOOKS?  Textbook reservations can be picked up at Mines Bookstore during normal business hours beginning 1 week before the beginning of the semester.  Remember, a photo ID is required to pick up textbook reservations!  Please allow adequate time for the bookstore staff to process your reservation.

• WHEN IS TEXTBOOK BUYBACK?  Textbook buyback is held during Finals Week.

• HOW MUCH WILL I GET FOR MY BOOKS AT BUYBACK?  Mines Bookstore pays up to 50% of the  new purchase price depending upon the supply and demand for your book.  Sometimes, due to new editions being published, Mines Bookstore is unable to pay anything for your books.  (See store staff for details about buyback)

• HOW AM I PAID FOR MY TEXTBOOKS AT BUYBACK?  Mines Bookstore pays cash for textbooks. J

• IF THE BOOKSTORE COULD GIVE ME A HINT ABOUT THE SECURITY OF MY BOOKS, WHAT WOULD IT BE?  Your textbooks should be treated like valuables.  Always "keep tabs" on your books. Mines Bookstore advises making a small pencil "mark" on the same page of all of your books.  If your book is lost or stolen, you can identify it by indicating what the mark is and what page it is on.

• WHO OWNS THE BOOKSTORE?  Mines Bookstore is owned and operated by SDSM&T.

• DOES ANY OF MY TUITION AND FEE EXPENSE GO TO THE BOOKSTORE?  No.  The Bookstore is a self-supporting University auxiliary service.  It is responsible for paying for its own expenses as well as its inventory.