CarmenBooks for Students

CarmenBooks is an Inclusive Access program that offers digital copies of selected textbooks for a fraction of the cost of a new, physical copy, as well as discounted access to publisher homework systems.

If you register for a course using CarmenBooks, you will see this discounted textbook cost reflected as a course fee. When enrolling in courses in BuckeyeLink, you will see the text "Digital Textbook Fee" under the "Enrollment Information" section. This example shows how the fee may appear in BuckeyeLink.

With CarmenBooks, you can:

  • Save up to 80% off retail price for your course materials
  • Access publisher homework systems you already use, at a significant discount
  • Access digital course materials through Carmen before your class begins
  • Retain access to your digital course materials for as long as you are a student at Ohio State

Find your course and discounted courseware rate at:

CarmenBooks Course Search

Opting Out

If you register for a course that uses CarmenBooks, you will be given the option to opt out of the program. However, if you do so, you will be responsible for obtaining your textbook and other course materials on your own.

Please note: If you are considering opting out of a class using publisher courseware (Connect, MindTap, MyLab, etc.), we highly recommend you contact the instructor before doing so. Many of the courseware solutions offered contain elements that are vital to the class—quiz assignments, for example. It will be difficult to complete the classes without the courseware and you are unlikely to find access to these systems at a price comparable to the one negotiated as part of the CarmenBooks program.

You must express your interest to opt out of CarmenBooks by completing the opt-out form before the end of the second Friday for your session. To check the dates for your session, visit the Registrar's Registration, Fees and Important Dates page. After that date, no refunds will be available.

FAQs

How will I receive my digital textbook?

Digital textbooks are provided through an app called Unizin Engage that is integrated directly into participating Carmen courses and appears in the left-hand navigation.

When will I be able to access the content?

You will have access to the content as soon as your instructor makes your Carmen course available to you. CarmenBooks content is preloaded before the semester.

How will I access the online homework system for my CarmenBooks course?

Access to publisher homework systems (Connect, MyLab, MindTap, etc.) provided through CarmenBooks works very similarly to access in traditional courses. The only difference is that you will not hit a paywall or be prompted for additional payment. You will have access to the course materials immediately.

What if I need an audio version or an accessible version of this course content?

If you rely on assistive technology or need an accessibility accommodation for the digital materials provided via CarmenBooks, please contact the Alternative Media team in Student Life Disability Services at slds-altmedia@osu.edu.

How long will I have access to the material?

This answer is different depending on the type of material your course is using.
 
You will have access to digital textbooks delivered through the Engage reader for the duration of your enrollment at Ohio State. They remain on your Engage bookshelf, organized by semester.
 
Materials delivered via Publisher homework systems will have the same access periods they traditionally offer. For some of these that means a single semester; for others it can be a year or more.

I have already paid my tuition statement which included this fee, but I would now like to opt out. Will I receive a refund?

If you complete the opt-out form before the end of the second Friday for your session, but after having already paid for material, you will receive a full refund. As with standard opt-outs, there are no refunds after the deadline.

Can I cancel a previous opt-out request and opt back into CarmenBooks?

Yes, opt-out requests can be cancelled by contacting carmenbooks@osu.edu, but the cancellation must be done before the end of the second Friday for your session.

Additional questions about CarmenBooks can be directed to carmenbooks@osu.edu.