Navigating the Olympic College Bookstore: A Comprehensive Guide
Olympic College, committed to student success, offers a range of resources, including a bookstore dedicated to providing affordable course materials and other essential supplies. This article provides a detailed overview of the Olympic College Bookstore, its offerings, and related student support services.
The Olympic College Bookstore: More Than Just Books
The Olympic College Bookstore is operated with a student-centered approach. Unlike corporate bookstores driven by profit margins, the Olympic College Bookstore prioritizes affordability and accessibility for students. This focus translates into several key benefits:
- Competitive Pricing: Textbooks and course materials are offered at the most competitive prices possible.
- Affordable Options: The bookstore expands affordable options through rental programs, digital alternatives, and used book selections.
- Student Employment: The bookstore creates employment opportunities for students, providing valuable retail and management experience.
Beyond textbooks, the bookstore stocks everything needed for academic success, including:
- Lab supplies
- Art materials
- Technology
- Study aids
These items are carefully selected with specific course needs in mind. The bookstore staff, often students themselves, understand the needs of their peers.
Locations and Access
The main Olympic College Bookstore is located in Building 10 (BSC) on the Bremerton campus. Textbooks for Olympic College Poulsbo and Olympic College Shelton courses can be purchased at those locations or through the online store at olympic.bncollege.com. The web store also offers clothing, technology, and basic required supplies.
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Textbook Options and Affordability
The Olympic College Bookstore recognizes the financial burden that textbooks can place on students. To alleviate this, the bookstore offers a variety of options to help students save money:
- Textbook Rentals: Renting textbooks can significantly reduce costs compared to purchasing new books.
- Digital Textbooks: Digital versions of textbooks are often available at a lower price than physical copies.
- Used Textbooks: Purchasing used textbooks is another way to save money, and the bookstore offers a selection of used books in good condition.
Beyond Textbooks: A Hub for Student Needs
The Olympic College Bookstore is more than just a place to buy textbooks. It also functions as a convenience store, offering a variety of snacks and drinks to keep students fueled throughout the day. Students can find everything from healthy options to more indulgent treats.
Additional Resources and Support at Olympic College
Olympic College provides a comprehensive network of resources to support student success, extending beyond the bookstore.
Admissions and Enrollment
Olympic College is an open-door institution, welcoming students from diverse backgrounds. Prospective students can visit the Welcome Center in Building 4 (HSS), Room 101, for personalized admission packets and information about academic and professional/technical programs. The Welcome Center staff can also provide guidance on online resources, such as the college catalog, and information on new student advising appointments, pre-entrance assessment, and new student orientation. Admissions staff coordinate outreach support to community groups and events, visit high schools and community fairs, and provide personal or group tours of college campuses. Campus tours are available upon request.
Beginning Winter 2026, all students must sign the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement (SFRA) in ctcLink before registering for classes.
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Advising
Advising is an essential component of a successful learning experience. This ongoing and purposeful process addresses the overall quality of a student’s experience and encompasses areas that impact student success. Advising services are available in Building 4 (HSS), Room 101.
Alumni Association
The Olympic College Alumni Association, founded in 2013, fosters a sense of community among OC alumni and promotes their lifelong personal, educational, and professional growth. Joining the Alumni Association is a way to stay connected with the college, fellow alumni, and the campus community. You can sign up at OCAlumni.org. A significant percentage of OC alumni stay in Kitsap and Mason counties, creating a powerful local network.
Assessment and Testing
The Assessment and Testing Center, located in Building 5 (CSC), Room 233, offers various testing services. Most tests and assessments require appointments and/or fees to administer. Not all services are available at OC Poulsbo and OC Shelton campuses.
Assistive Technology
Assistive Technology course offerings, located in Building 12 (TEC), Room 313, include voice recognition, voice output, screen magnification, and one-handed keyboarding.
Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET)
The primary function of the OC BFET program is to ensure eligible students continue receiving vital services such as Basic Food Assistance and/or Child Care Subsidy while completing a Professional-Technical program of study with the goal of future employment. BFET services are located in Building 4 (HSS), Room 121.
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ABE/GED Programs
ABE (Adult Basic Education) and GED courses are non-credit and are intended for those who want to develop the reading, writing, and math skills needed to pass the GED test or Accuplacer scores that indicate a need to review before beginning college-work or training. An orientation session that includes a placement assessment is required before registration. Transition Specialists assist students in creating a customized educational plan. To receive a diploma, you must demonstrate competencies in reading, writing, math, science, and other applicable subject areas. These programs are located in Building 4 (HSS), Room 121.
English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) is intended to help non-native English speakers learn how to read, write, speak, and understand English for personal, academic, or employment reasons. Beginning through advanced ESOL classes are offered (classes are non-credit). An orientation session that includes a placement assessment is required before registration. ESOL programs are located in Building 4 (HSS), Room 121.
I-BEST Program
An I-BEST class or program uses a team-teaching approach, providing students with twice the support at no extra cost. With I-BEST, you will work with two teachers in the classroom. One teacher will provide job training or teach an academic transfer class like welding or sociology. The other will teach basic skills in reading, writing, math, English language, or employability (it’s like having a tutor available right there, while you are in class). I-BEST challenges the traditional notion that students must move through a set of pre-college courses before they can start working on certificates or degrees. I-BEST programs are located in Building 4 (HSS), Room 121.
Campus Security
The Olympic College Campus Security office is located in Building 4 (HSS), in Room 101 at the OC Bremerton Campus. Students can call Campus Security by dialing 360-475-7800 for all campuses or by using one of the emergency call boxes at any time. Campus Security personnel will not provide personal information about students to unverified individuals due to privacy concerns. Therefore, emergency messages to students on campus may be referred to local law enforcement. New students and staff are automatically enrolled in the campus emergency alert system which is used during campus emergencies or change of campus operations.
Parking Information
Parking spaces are designated with painted white, parallel stripes for side/side parking, or painted white hash marks for end/end parking. Parking in a space without such markings will subject you to a possible parking violation. All finalized fines shall be paid at the Cashier’s office. There are nine student parking lots at OC Bremerton, known as General parking lots. There is a 10-minute loading zone year-round and on weekends in the loop off of 16th Street near the flag pavilion. Student parking lots are available at OC Poulsbo and OC Shelton campuses. Temporary License plates for newly purchased vehicles will get temporary parking credentials until the permanent plates arrive. OC Bremerton visitors permits can be obtained at the Campus Security Office in the Bldg. 4 (HSS), Rm. 101. Visitors can obtain a visitor pass in the Student Services office at OC Poulsbo and at the main office at OC Shelton. Disability and carpool spaces are appropriately labeled and available in most lots. Disability license plates, placards, or passes must be displayed and fully visible to park in disability parking spaces.
Annual Security Report (ASR)
The OC annual security report (ASR) is published in accordance with the Clery Act by Oct. 1 each year and distributed to the community. The ASR includes campus crime statistics, resources, and information about safety on campus. The ASR is available online (olympic.edu/services/campus-safety/annual-security-report) or by request.
CARE Team
This may be used to report any behaviors of concern involving OC students or employees (behaviors may occur in or out of the classroom) or other hazards present on campus. Please note, anonymously submitted forms may limit the ability to respond fully. CARE Team services are located in Building 4, (HSS), Rm. 101.
Career Services
Career Services provides a wide range of career and employment planning services that assist students in developing self-directed job search skills. The Career Center also offers both on and off-campus student employment, work-study, internship, and community volunteer/service learning listings through an online job board - RangerJobs. Applied learning strategies use a community or on-campus site to provide students with supervised learning experiences that relate to their educational and career objectives. Students enrolled for a least five credits in an OC program are eligible for on-campus Regular Student Employment. Federal or state Work-Study employment is a work program coordinated through the Career Center. Students must be enrolled for at least six credits to participate. Career Services are located in Building 4 (HSS), Room 101.
CTE Dual Credit
CTE Dual Credit offers high school students the opportunity to start professional/technical training programs while still in high school. Via articulation agreements between OC and the high schools, high school students in selected programs can earn both high school and OC credits at the same time, provided they earn a “B” or better in the high school course. Education partners include OC, Kitsap and Mason county school districts, and the West Sound Technical Skills Center. CTE Dual Credit information is available in Building 5 (CSC), Room 233.
Teacher CTE Certification Program
Olympic College is one of seven Washington state providers approved by the Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB) for the Plan II Business/ Industry Route for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Certification. Our program is based on the requirements in the Washington Administrative Code WAC 181-77-041.
Online Courses
OC has nearly 400 online courses from which to choose. Programs include Project Management, Certified Bookkeeper, HIV/AIDS, Spanish for Your Job, as well as classes in computer applications, business administration/management, design and new media certification programs, entrepreneur/business, healthcare, legal, personal enrichment, test prep, and writing.
Counseling Services
Counseling Services is staffed by professional counselors who are licensed by the State of Washington. Counselors are dedicated to promoting the emotional well-being of students by recognizing individuality, diversity, and the person’s inherent ability to manage everyday challenges and achieve life goals. Counselors provide a variety of services including personal counseling, career counseling, crisis and academic intervention, as well as academic advising, workshops, and staff consultation. Counseling Services are located in Building 4 (HSS), Room 101.
Dining Options
The OlympiCafe serves cafeteria-style breakfast and lunch throughout the academic quarter from an excellent selection of reasonably priced menu items. The OlympiCafe features freshly prepared salads made to order, a panini sandwich of the day, a carved entree, grill, soft drinks, desserts, snacks, and espresso as well as a choice of selected entrees for lunch each day. The Fireside Bistro is located in the Bremer Student Center and is staffed by OC Culinary Art students.
Olympic College Foundation
The Olympic College Foundation provides scholarships and emergency funding to students. Examples of student success stories include:
- Josh went from being homeless to being on the path to a great-paying and fulfilling career as a welder with the help of scholarships and emergency funding from the Foundation.
- Shanika, who needed a better job to help support her two children and disabled partner, said she wouldn’t have been able to finish her nursing degree without help from the Foundation.
- Joe used Foundation scholarships to help him transition from addict to drug abuse counselor.
The Foundation also funds specialized equipment, such as high-tech medical mannequins for the nursing program, providing a realistic hospital simulation suite.
General Studies 121 Success for Student Cohorts
General Studies 121 Success for Student Cohorts (i.e.
Information Technology (OC-IT)
Olympic College’s Information Technology department (OC-IT) is the central IT organization for the college, delivering essential technology services and support for all campuses. OC Bremerton: Bldg. 8 (ST), Rm. 122; and Bldg. 6 (HL), Rm. 127 and Rm. OC Poulsbo: P1 (OCP), Rm.
Haselwood Library
The Haselwood Library offers students and the community the opportunity to study, conduct research, and learn outside the classroom. An integral part of the college experience, the library offers a wide variety of resources, including an open computer lab, laptops, group study rooms, and quiet places for study and reflection. Resources include more than 86,000 books and e-books, 1,700 videos, and 1,000 sound recordings. In addition, thousands of periodicals and reference works are available electronically, on and off campus, through a variety of subscription databases. Library faculty at OC assist students in all phases of the research process: developing search strategies, searching for information, evaluating information, and in using information ethically, legally, and responsibly. They also provide learning opportunities through a variety of approaches, including course-related and course-integrated instruction, hands-on active learning, credit courses, tutorials, pathfinders, and point-of-use assistance. Library faculty are available in person for consultation during all hours of operation. The Bremerton Library is located in Building 10, (BSC), Rm. 313.
Poulsbo Library
The Poulsbo Library shares space with the open computer lab and offers a collection of books as well as access to all the resources and services housed in Bremerton. A library technician is available to assist students with their research needs during select weekday hours.
Military and Veterans Programs (MVP) Support Center
Transfer credit may be awarded for previous Armed Forces credit, and university or college education. CLEP and DANTES SST credit may be applied to certificates and degrees. Active duty students and family members may be eligible to use military tuition assistance along with several other tuition-reduction programs. Open weekdays, the MVP Support Center offers fellowship and activities, a calm environment to study or take a break, a computer lab, TV, and lounge. The Student Veterans of America chapter is located at the MVP Support Center. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Post 9/11G. I. Bill® (Ch. 33) or Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (Ch. 31) benefits, while payment to the institution is pending from the VA. The MVP Support Center is located in Building 11 (ENG), Rm. 105.
Opportunity Grant
The Opportunity Grant is a state-funded grant offering financial assistance. Eligible students pursuing approved technical degrees may receive funds to cover tuition and mandatory fees up to 45 credits and up to $1,000 per academic year for books and supplies. The goal is to help low-income adults reach their educational goals. The Opportunity Grant information is available in Building 4 (HSS), Room 121.
Passport to Careers Program
Passport to Careers Program provides support to former foster care and homeless youth while in higher education. The program provides financial assistance beyond other state, federal, private, and institutional financial aid for which they are eligible.
Registrar
The Registrar and office staff are responsible for coordinating registration policies including: grading, honors designations, general academic progress, grade forgiveness, and recording credit awarded by vertical challenge, credit by examination, Tech Prep, International Baccalaureate, Advanced Placement, CLEP and DANTES SST credit, and Armed Forces. Certification of high school completion, certificates, and degrees are the purview of this office. The Registrar is located in Building 4 (HSS), Room 101.
Access Services
Access Services partners with the OC community to foster a college culture that recognizes disability as a valued aspect of diversity and is dedicated to the inclusion and full participation of students with disabilities in all college programs, services, and activities. The office determines appropriate academic adjustments and assists students with self-advocacy and referral to campus and community resources. Access Services are located in Bldg. 4 (HSS), Rm. 145.
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