10 Textbook Program FAQs from Students and Faculty

Textbooks labeled as reserves on a bookshelf.

A selection of textbooks at the Hill library Ask Us desk. Photo: Cole Richard

Since launching in 2009, the NC State University Libraries Textbook program has supported student success by providing at least one copy of every required textbook at NC State. In that time, Libraries staff have fielded plenty of questions from students and instructors and have encountered a few misconceptions about the program. Here are ten frequently asked questions about textbooks.

FAQs from students:

Can I check textbooks out for the whole semester?

Textbooks and reserves can only be checked out for two hours at a time. This is to help ensure that access to these popular materials remains equitable for all students in a course. If no one else has requested a textbook in the time it has been checked out, it can be renewed at the Ask Us desk for an additional two hours.

Why can I no longer access the ebook for my textbook?

Ebook access is restricted to a set number of simultaneous users. We closely monitor usage and (when possible) will upgrade our licenses of highly used titles.

Can I return a textbook to any library location?

Textbooks and course reserves should be returned to the library from which they were loaned. Textbooks are allocated to library locations based on the proximity to where courses are held. 

Can I request a textbook through Tripsaver (interlibrary loan)?

Textbooks can be requested through Tripsaver. Other libraries are less likely to loan their textbooks out through interlibrary loan, however, as they are often in those libraries’ own textbook programs. Even if our Tripsaver team cannot obtain the exact edition you’re looking for, they can sometimes get an older edition. We cannot guarantee a lending period for Tripsaver books, and you may or may not be able to extend your loan. 

Why is there no ebook version of my textbook?

The majority of our textbook collection consists of physical copies. While the overall library collection is trending toward ebooks and digital access, textbooks are often only available as physical copies or through publishers' e-learning platforms. 

 

FAQs from instructors:

Can the Libraries provide students with access codes to e-learning platforms?

The Libraries cannot provide individual access codes to publisher e-learning platforms. If you opt to require students to use such platforms, please be aware that they will not be able to access your course’s materials through the libraries. 

Do I need to submit my textbook lists to the bookstore for the Libraries to have them?

The Libraries works with the bookstore to identify required textbooks for every course. You should submit your textbook lists to the bookstore as early as possible to ensure that the libraries will have your books available for students. If you don’t submit your textbook list to the bookstore, the libraries won’t know which books you’re using. 

Are students already aware of the textbook program?

According to the Libraries’ surveys, the majority of students are not aware of the textbook lending program. You can help spread the word by including the Libraries on your syllabi (https://textbooks.lib.ncsu.edu/) when discussing course materials!

I've made a last minute selection for a textbook for my course.  Who do I need to get in touch with to see if the Libraries can add a copy to the Textbook Program for students to use?

If you have a late request for a textbook, contact the Libraries' course reserves team by visiting this page or emailing library_reserves@ncsu.edu. We may already have at least one copy of the textbook, or we may have it on order. If not, we'll work to get a copy ordered and available to your students as soon as possible.

How else can I lessen the financial burden on my students?

The Libraries provides broad support for open educational resources. All instructors are eligible to apply for grants to adopt, adapt, or create free or low-cost alternatives to expensive textbooks. 

 

Dig deeper:

To learn more about the textbook program, check out these pages: