Participate in the TextbookForward “Borrow a Textbook” programme this spring to get your textbook, save your money, and also help the environment!

TextbookForward is made possible through the generous donations of NYU Shanghai community members who pass on their gently used textbooks to the library, allowing future students to benefit from reusing them.

How to Take Part
All NYU Shanghai students can borrow up to two textbooks from TextbookForward on a first-come, first-served basis starting from January 19, after priority access to EmpowerU students ends. 

Dates & Hours: Jan 19 & 20 | 12 PM – 4 PM: Visit our Borrowing Table at the Library
Jan 21 – 29: Visit the Library Circulation Desk during opening hours

Important Tips: 
Browse the Available Textbooks List in advance to see what’s in stock in real time
Verify your borrowed textbooks at the Academic Affairs Textbooks Distribution Sessions to have related book fees waived from your bursar account.
Check the TextbookForward webpage for more info and updates.

What’s New This Spring?
With the successful pilot in Fall 2025 and thoughtful responses to the Borrower Experience Survey, we’ve made several improvements based directly on student feedback. Thank you for telling us what matters to you! 

More Books Each Student Can Borrow
Last semester, students could borrow 1 book per person. This semester, we have decided to offer up to 2 textbooks per student to help you save more on textbook fees. 
Earlier Access & Extended Borrowing Period
To make borrowing more convenient, we are opening the programme to all students earlier in the semester, with longer tabling hours and extended borrowing periods.
Expanded Catalog Through Community Donations
Thanks to generous donations from fellow community members, our textbook collection has grown with a few new titles this semester. Your contributions help make textbooks accessible to your peers.

FAQ
Q: Can I join every semester?
A: Yes, you can participate each semester if you meet the eligibility and lending guidelines. 
Q: How are textbooks selected for the TextbookForward program?
A: TextbookForward is a donation-based collection, so availability depends on the materials we receive. As a result, we cannot guarantee that all required textbooks will be available. 
Q: How to apply for the EmpowerU program to receive priority access?
A: To apply, please contact the Center for Student Belonging at shanghai.belonging@nyu.edu. They can provide details about eligibility, program benefits, and the application process. EmpowerU is a first-generation student support program that consolidates existing resources under one name, with a renewed focus on self-awareness, student voice, and community care.

To better protect user privacy and align with current data privacy standards, NYU Libraries will be updating how long completed borrowing and fine records remain visible in your library account.

What is Changing?
Starting January 7, 2026, once a loan is completed (returned) or a fine is paid or waived, the record will remain visible in your library account for 30 days. After that, the records will be removed and anonymized, so they are no longer linked to personal identifiers, such as your name and NetID.

Impact on Your Account
You may soon notice that older loans and closed fines no longer appear under the “My Library Account” section. Please note that using library account history to track research activity is not recommended under widely recognized privacy best practices.

How to Save Your Borrowing History
If you regularly review or export your borrowing history, we recommend saving any records you wish to keep for personal reference before January 7, 2026.

To Export Your Borrowing History:

• Log in to your Library Account
• Navigate to the Loans tab
• Select Previous and Historic Loans
• Use the “…” menu to select your preferred format, such as Print, Email, Endnote, Refworks, Excel, or RIS

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at shanghai.circulation@nyu.edu.

We are pleased to announce the results of the TextbookForward Logo Contest! Launched earlier this semester, this campus-wide competition invited students to design the official visual identity for our new textbook donation and lending initiative, a partnership between the Library and Student Affairs.

We received 12 creative and thoughtful submissions, each showcasing the unique imagination and talent of our student community.

To ensure a fair and well-rounded selection, the final results were determined by a 50/50 combination of:

• Judges’ Scores (50%): Evaluated by our expert panel for design excellence and conceptual strength.
• Community Votes (50%): Decided by 433 votes from students, faculty, and staff.

View the top three placements for Judge’s choice and Community Vote. 

After tallying the combined scores, we are proud to present the results: 

🏆 Grand Prize Winner

Brandon Mao

Congratulations to Brandon! His design earned the highest combined score, resonating strongly with both our community and the judges. After final adjustments and refinement, the logo will be used across TextbookForward marketing materials, signage, digital platforms, and future merchandise.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who participated in this contest. The quality of submissions was impressive, making the final selection a close call. We are delighted to celebrate the efforts of the following designers who helped make this competition a success.

Finalists: Yuan Quan, Saruul Ganbat
Honourable Mentions: Khishigdorj Buyanbadrakh, Stephanie Yip, Ada Lian, Ella Shen, Wendy Lin
Participation Prize: Shunqi Wang, Liushan Yin, Yiran Sang, Mingjia Wang

💬 Thank You to Our Community

We extend our heartfelt thanks to every designer who submitted a design, every member of the community who voted, and all judges who dedicated their time and expertise. Your collective effort and creativity have helped give TextbookForward an identity that reflects NYU Shanghai’s values of sustainability, generosity, and academic support.

Stay tuned as we roll out the new logo and continue to develop the TextbookForward textbook donation and lending program across campus.

For questions, please contact shanghai.reserves@nyu.edu.

Dear NYU Shanghai Community,

Cast your vote in the TextbookForward Logo Contest and help us choose the design that best represents this student-centered initiative led by the Library and Student Affairs, promoting affordability and sustainability on our campus.

Vote by 6pm on Friday November 14th, 2025 to enter into a lucky draw for one of twenty cafeteria vouchers worth ¥25 each. It is a win-win: help shape an emerging campus program and maybe enjoy a free meal.

See the Designs in Person The full collection of designs will be exhibited on the screen at the Library Lobby from November 7th to 14th, 2025. Stop by to see the creativity and get a closer look at each design before voting. How Will the Winner be Selected? Your vote will count toward 50% of the final result, with the other 50% determined by scores from our panel of judges.  Thank you to all designers! We sincerely thank all the students who contributed their creativity and effort to this project. Your work offers a wonderful variety of perspectives and designs that express the spirit of TextbookForward in different ways. Let’s celebrate creativity, sustainability, and affordability together!