Course Materials Adoption
Frequently Asked Questions
Written by Sarah Lehmann, Faculty Librarian & Lydia Bouzida, ARC Bookstore Manager
Got a question that’s not answered in this document? Email Sarah! lehmans@arc.losrios.edu
Use the Follett Discover tool in Canvas. While logged into Canvas, look for this icon:
Once all your assigned courses are loaded into Peoplesoft, you’ll see each of your courses in Follet Discover and you’ll be able to select course materials for each one. Questions about Follet Discover? Contact Sharon Bishop: book_adoptions@arc.losrios.edu
Several reasons!
Ultimately, turning in your textbook adoptions on time benefits students:
- It’s important that students see how much their textbooks will cost when selecting their classes so that they can make informed choices. In fact, schools are required to post information about required textbooks along with the class schedule. The deadlines allow the College enough time to comply with this rule.
- The ARC Library buys a copy of nearly every ARC textbook, and needs time to receive and process the material.
- When students know what their textbooks are in advance, they can shop around online for the best deals, and are more likely to have their book on day 1.
- For students with financial aid vouchers, their easiest option is to purchase their textbooks from the Bookstore. To do so, they need clear information about what books are required.
- The earlier the Bookstore gets their adoptions, the better chance they have of being able to purchase the limited quantity of used textbooks available nationwide. This saves students money!
- College employees like counselors, librarians, and Homebases coaches rely on this information to help students figure out what textbooks they need to buy.
This deadline only applies to you if you have courses assigned. Once you get your courses, input your course materials adoption as soon as you can. :)
Yes. Even if you use a free textbook, submitting an adoption form is still important. It makes the textbook requirements clear to students, library staff, counselors, and other college employees. Also, as a bonus this will facilitate your course to be listed as “Zero Cost” in the class schedule.
Absolutely. There are many OER texts already in Follett Discover, or you can simply email the book information and the link to book_adoptions@arc.losrios.edu
Yes. Please still submit the form. If you don’t want to turn in a form every semester, you can let the bookstore know you do not plan to use a textbook for the foreseeable future and they will put you on the permanent “No Title Required” list. Please contact book_adoptions@arc.losrios.edu to arrange this
Here is an example of what students see:
- If you tell the bookstore you don’t require a textbook:
- If you DON’T tell the bookstore you don’t require a textbook - your students will exist in a permanent state of confusion!!
Excellent question and I’m so glad you asked.
- First, yes it’s important to still submit the form.
- Second, you could actually ask the bookstore to stock these supplies!
This way, students know exactly what the required materials are, can buy them in advance, and can more easily use their financial aid vouchers to do so. For help with this, please contact book_adoptions@arc.losrios.edu
Yes! You can find your previous semester’s adoptions in Follett Discover.
Good news! You can let the bookstore know for how many semesters you intend to use the same book, and they will continue to roll over your textbook order until the date you specify. You will not need to submit another adoption form until you change textbooks or a new edition comes out. Please contact book_adoptions@arc.losrios.edu to arrange this, or leave a note in Follett Discover when you submit your adoptions form.
It’s much better for students, College support staff, the library, and the bookstore if you submit the textbook adoption form so that the bookstore can stock your book. It helps communicate clearly to your students what your expectations are, and it helps College employees who are trying to help your students look up their textbook information. Also, students can use their financial aid allocations much more easily at the bookstore.
What a great idea. Yes! Absolutely, please let your students know about the required course materials ahead of time. In fact, in a recent survey many students said they would really like to get this information in advance. Here is a welcome email template you can use if you’d like.
That’s great, congrats on your negotiating skills! If you have arranged special pricing from the publisher, please let the bookstore know by emailing book_adoptions@arc.losrios.edu.
This "feature" doesn't work as expected.
It will re-adopt every book you've ever used for every class you're teaching.
If you use this tool, please be sure to choose books for your courses one at a time.
Or better yet, don't use this tool.
Adoptions Deadlines
Each semester, adoptions should be submitted by the following dates:
- March 15: for Summer courses
- May 1: for Fall courses
- November 1: for Spring courses