Faculty FAQ
When are textbook adoptions due?
Please click here for dates. (Back to top)
How do I order books for my class?
You can access our online textbook requisition site. If you don't already have a login and password, please contact us for one. (Back to top)
What is the proper way to complete a textbook adoption form?
-Submit adoption information for every course offered. If "no textbook required" or "undecided", please indicate so.
-Use catalog numbers only. Use course code #s ONLY if different textbooks are adopted within same catalog #.
-Include all the necessary information that the order form indicates, including estimated enrollment. Please use your best estimate.
-To make any changes (cancellations, editions, etc.), the Associate Dean needs to make them in writing or if using the web order form, indicate changes in the comment field.
-Indicate: REQUIRED, OPTIONAL, or RECOMMENDED.
-If you are given an ISBN for free material to be packaged with the text, please indicate if those supplements (CDs, workbooks, etc) are required. Used books from distributors or from students at buyback may not have these supplements.
-Treat course packet adoptions requests as textbooks.
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How can I help my students buy the right textbook?
Our goal is to provide the right textbooks on the shelf at the right time and right quantity and price for students to purchase. We want to eliminate listing a book as required if a professor may tell his/her students that they do not need to buy the textbook. Errors in ordering the right textbook and quantity of textbooks costs the student and Bookstore thousands of dollars. The better information we get from departments and faculty, the better service we can provide our customers. We can list the book on the shelf as REQUIRED, OPTIONAL or RECOMMENDED. (Back to top)
Should I let you know if the estimated enrollment for my class changes?
Definitely! We do check enrollment, but the advance notification would help with reordering ahead of time, if needed. Also, we need to be informed if additional course codes open up. We may need to increase our order quantities. (Back to top)
Will you let me know if the textbook I adopted is coming out in a new edition?
Yes, we will notify you of a pending new edition; we leave the choice to you before placing the order. However, we are sometimes forced to go with a new edition due to the limited availability of the old edition. (Back to top)
Can I use an old edition of a textbook or do I have to switch to the new edition?
If you prefer to use an old edition of a textbook, it is best to let us know immediately so that we can obtain as many copies as possible through buyback and shopping with our used book distributors. Sometimes we can also obtain new copies from the publisher through special ordering. Some faculty prefer old editions when the new edition is not released in ample time to review it. On occasion, we may not be able to obtain enough copies and may advise you to select another textbook as a backup. (Back to top)
Why do you need the book orders so far in advance?
We spend many hours researching over 2,000 titles during the Fall and Spring semesters, notifying you of updated publications and out-of-prints, reviewing our inventory, getting extensions for returns from publishers, shopping for used books, planning buyback, preparing the sales floor and processing shipments for the new semester. It is very difficult to do this when adoptions are late. (Back to top)
If it is past the deadline can I still order a book for my class?
Yes, but keep in mind, the students may end up paying more money for their books because the opportunity to buy used copies may have passed. Also, there is also the concern of out-of-stocks and wrong shipments from the vendor. We will do our best to have your adoption in stock before the start of class, but we cannot guarantee it. (Back to top)
How can we save the students money for this textbook?
If you turn in your adoptions to us before or by the deadline, we can get a head start on shopping for used textbooks and can also plan our buyback accordingly. Used books save students 25%. With readopting books, we can keep the flow of used books circulating on our campus and pay the maximum value at buyback, which is 50% of the new price, even if the book was purchased as USED. Students may end up paying only 33% of the original book's retail price! (Back to top)
Will you buy the students' books at the end of the semester if I adopt a workbook?
If you re-adopt a workbook for the upcoming semester, we will buy back the workbook if it is intact and resalable/reusable to the next customer buying it. Books with answers and missing pages cannot be resold. Some professors may advise students of this at the beginning of the semester. The Bookstore also tries to inform students of this at the time of purchase to avoid unhappy customers during Book Buyback. (Back to top)
Can I save the students money by ordering a custom package?
Custom packages are not always a "deal". Usually, the package is only a savings when all components are REQUIRED; packages can be cheaper than buying the components separately NEW. It is important to remember that it may be even cheaper if those components are available USED from our distributors. It is best to always request a cost analysis breakdown of the package from the Bookstore, which considers wholesale and buyback issues as well as a breakdown of the components' prices. We will provide you with all the necessary information to make your decision. Our goal is to order your required adoption at the best price to save students money. (Back to top)
What are the concerns with custom bundles or books?
With custom bundles and books, there is normally a slower turn-around time in getting the order in and publishers usually only allow the bookstores to return 10-20% of its purchases. Reorders are usually the biggest problem since publishers don't usually keep custom products in stock. Other concerns include refund issues. Students who try to return their bundle to the bookstore sometimes do not have all the components anymore. The bookstore cannot offer a full refund due to publisher policy. During book buyback, if the bookstore is overstocked or not buying the book for any reason, the wholesaler will not pay any money on the custom books since there is no national demand.
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How do I put a course packet together for you to sell to my class?
For course packet ordering of your own written material:
-Send bookstore an order for it (as if any other book); inform us if revised!
-Send your original copy of the course packet to Document Services.
-We will assign a sku number to the packet & order it from Document Services.
-Document Services will scan and save the packet on a disk with the assigned sku.
-Contact Document Services if you prefer to send the packet electronically.
For course packets that contain copyrighted material:
-Send the bookstore an order for it (as if any other textbook)
-Attach a thoroughly completed APS Request form.
-Document Services will fax your reprint request to our copyright clearinghouse and will keep you informed of the status of your request or any problems.
-Allow 4-6 weeks to clear reprint permission.
-Instructors are responsible for placing all course packet orders with Document Services.
-Document Services will be responsible for returning your original copy to you.
A booklet regarding copyright provided by the National Association of College Stores has already been sent to each of your departments. Please note that any articles downloaded from the internet may also be copyrighted. Any permission received for any material is for ONE TIME educational use only; therefore, please keep your copy of the APS Request form for future semesters!
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How can I get a desk copy of a book?
In most departments the Administrative Assistants contact publishers for desk copies, or you can get a copy of the book from the bookstore and have it charged to your department if you are authorized by your department to do so. (Back to top)
What if the publisher sends me a copy after I purchase the textbook from the bookstore?
If it is still within the return deadline that you were given from the Bookstore, you can return the book you purchased to us and we will credit your department. If you prefer to return the book sent to you by the publisher instead, we will review it since some copies may slightly differ or be marked as a review copy. (Back to top)
If I know what textbook I am using for several semesters in advance, should I let you know? Why?
Yes, indeed. This may save students money because we can buy back more books from students during Book Buyback and we can better plan our used book purchases and returns. (Back to top)
How can I find out who my Publisher Rep is for a textbook?
Please contact the Bookstore or publisher. (Back to top)
Who should I contact if I need to speak to someone about a textbook adoption?
You may contact the Associate Dean, Administrative Assistant, and/or Department Chair.
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You may also e-mail Lee Ann Potts at lpotts@icc.edu or call her at 694-8484.