Our location at 975 Edgar Drive provides EIU students with an easy, self-service method of picking up their textbooks for the semester. Reading these instructions will give you a head start for when you arrive at the facility.
Before You Come
To help expedite your textbook pickup experience, we recommend you print your textbook information prior to your visit to the Textbook Rental Service. This information is available online at PAWS:
Your list of textbooks will appear. It is possible you may not have any textbooks to pick up.
Print this list and bring it with you.
Pickup Procedure
You will be asked to leave any backpacks, book bags or other means to carry books in a designated area. Plastic bags are available to help you carry books while in the facility. Staff members will be on hand to assist the process if necessary. You can also watch the video below for a walk-through of the process.
If you have printed your textbook list, proceed to the textbook storage area. If not, proceed to one of two printer kiosks to obtain your list via the following process:Begin picking up your textbooks, which are arranged numerically by textbook reference number. All books being issued for the current semester are identified by a large blue tag, which features the reference number and an arrow pointing to the shelf below where that specific book is stored.
Swipe your Panther Card and hit "Print" OR enter your E-number on the touch-screen keypad, hit "Print" on the keypad and hit "Print" again in the print box.
Your book list will print. This list is in numerical order by textbook reference number. It also lists the title, author, ISBN number and availability status of each book. Take this list to the textbook storage area.
Once you have gathered the textbooks on your list, proceed to the checkout/check-in counter.
Check-Out Procedure
Step up to the first available station. There are a total of eight stations.
Hit "Start" on the touch screen.
Swipe your Panther Card OR enter your E-number (including the E) on the touch screen keypad.
Hit "Checkout" on the touch screen.
Place your textbooks on the reader. For best results, place only a few at a time.
As the textbooks are being checked out, the textbook information will appear on the screen. At the top right of the screen, you can see the number of textbooks that have been successfully checked out.
Once the information turns green for all textbooks, hit "Continue" on the touch screen. A receipt will print. Take your receipt, collect all personal belongings and proceed through the security gates to exit.
Once you have successfully checked out your textbooks, you can verify them on PAWS at anytime.
Please protect your textbooks at all times. Transport your textbooks in a waterproof book bag, backpack, or another type of protective method and keep them away from any potentially damaging situations.
Check-In Procedure (Inside Facility)
Before coming to Textbook Rental Service, please verify all textbook information on PAWS. All sold/purchased textbooks from prior semesters/terms will not be accepted. This includes all previous semester/term textbooks that were not returned by established deadlines. All textbooks will be evaluated and are subject to charges if any type of damage is found. All associated charges will appear on each individual student account.
Staff members will be on hand to assist the process if necessary. You can also watch the video below for a walk-through of the process.
You will be directed to the checkout/check-in counter.
Step up to the first available station.
Hit "Start" on the touch screen.
Swipe your Panther Card OR enter your E-number (including the E) on the touch screen keypad.
Hit "Check In" on the touch screen.
Place textbooks on the reader. For best results, place only a few at a time.
As the textbooks are being checked in, the textbook information will appear on the screen. At the top right of the screen, you can see the number of textbooks that have been successfully checked in.
Once the information turns green for all textbooks, hit "Continue" on the touch screen.
A receipt will print. Take your receipt and place your textbooks in the smart bins located at the counter.
Collect all personal belongings and proceed through the security gates to exit.
Check-In Procedure (Book Drop)
Before coming to Textbook Rental Service, please verify all textbook information on PAWS. All textbooks will be evaluated and are subject to charges if any type of damage is found. All associated charges will appear on each individual student account.
Insert your Panther Card OR enter your E-number on the keypad.
Follow the verbal instructions.
The door will open. Place your books through the slot one at a time.
The door will close after all books have cleared the slot.