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We have something exciting in store for you! Immediate Access update is coming in Fall 2024.




What is Immediate Access ONE?


This is the next stage of the ISU Book Store's successful Immediate Access program. This is a digital-first, flat-rate course materials program launching Fall 2024 for all undergraduate students, designed to boost your success.

Immediate Access ONE provides a predictable cost of $259 per semester for all undergraduate students, regardless of your major. On the first day of classes of every semester, you can easily access and start using your required course materials by simply logging into your Canvas account.




ACCESSIBLE



  • First-day access to required courseware and eBooks
  • Digital Materials delivered directly through Canvas
  • Prepared for learning to start on day one

COST-SAVING



  • Fall/Spring Semester:
    $259 per semester
  • Summer/Winter semester:
    $69 per term
  • Covers all physical & digital books regardless of major

TIME-SAVING



  • Auto-charged once at the beginning of the semester
  • Saves hassle of multi-site price comparison
  • Easy bookstore pickup for all print materials

PREDICTABLE



  • Full transparency with no hidden charges
  • Same cost for all undergraduate students
  • Covers all required digital and physical textbooks


As a faculty, your choices are impactful


Empowerment begins with education, and at Iowa State University, faculty are instrumental and wield the power to make education accessible to all. Your decision on textbooks for your undergraduate program shapes the future for countless Iowa State students. By selecting wisely and early, you're not just prescribing knowledge but also breaking barriers.

Through the Immediate Access ONE program, your thoughtful textbook selections ensure affordability and accessibility, paving the path for every eager mind. Choosing the right books and the right number of books helps keep costs low.

You can utilize the following Academic resources for textbook selection:
Immediate Access ONE
Open Educational Resources (OER)
Course Reserves

You can also include the University Library and Book Store team in your textbook selection conversation for help with the resources above and publisher cost discussions.

STEP 1

You get your course
assignments

STEP 2

You research quality and
affordable materials

STEP 3

You choose the material(s)
for student success

STEP 4

You send your course material request to ISU Book Store


Unmatched Student Benefits


Retail
Digital + Print
Immediate
Access ONE
Digital + Print Materials
Fixed Price Per Semester
All Required Materials
Day-one Access
Convenient Auto-pay
ISU Book Store Support



Student Speak


Overall much easier and sustainable! I like how easy it is to obtain my materials, I literally have to put in no additional effort and during the start of the semesters when it all feels very overwhelming. Makes it a lot easier on me with one less thing on my to-do list!

Meagan (Apparel Merchandising and Design/German)

It saves me a lot of time finding the right book I need and its convenient for any adjustments in my schedule [when dropping or registering for classes]. Much less of a hassle than buying physical books every semester.

Edwin (Aerospace Engineering)

I like not having to carry textbooks around; if I have my laptop I have all my books. Being able to highlight, search, and copy information directly from the document when I am studying [is convenient].

Kayla (Interior Design)

It’s always easy to find the information I am looking for in the course materials, I can search for specific terms/bookmarks/highlights. I don’t have to worry about finding the materials and paying for everything individually, the payment is part of my semester fees/charges.

Niha (Architecture)

It has been extremely beneficial to me as a student as it provides me with all the material for the best price that I need and getting the material before the first day of class. It takes the extra stress of preparing for your classes by automatically adding online material to your U-Bill, while also giving me the option "to opt-out" of getting the material if I choose not to get it.

Justin (Entrepreneurship)




Frequently Asked Questions


Access to textbook and courseware through Immediate Access ONE on the first day of classes is only possible if faculty/instructors submit their required textbook and courseware on or before the deadline so that students have the details they need to make informed choices. If no course materials are required, it is still important to submit this information every semester so that students’ Booklists show that the course has low/zero costs.

Course Material Adoption Deadlines: Immediately upon receiving your teaching assignment for a course.

This program is designed to make required courseware access easy, but we understand this process is new. Read through the FAQs for additional details about the program and how it affects you.

If your question isn't covered here, you need help, or want to learn more about the Immediate Access ONE program, please contact us at immediateaccess@iastate.edu.

Due to the University’s security protocol or content restrictions, some digital content may not be able to be included in Immediate Access ONE. To learn about what content is currently not able to be deployed through Immediate Access ONE, please view “Can I utilize non-textbook materials for my coursework, such as course packets or software?” or email immediateaccess@iastate.edu to see if the content you want to use can be offered in Immediate Access ONE.


Immediate Access ONE is an evolution of our current Immediate Access program, which has saved Iowa State students millions of dollars on digital materials since 2014. Immediate Access ONE will:

  • Increase ease and convenience by providing all required textbooks and courseware for one flat rate each semester.
  • Provide first access so students can begin class with all materials they need.
  • Ensure a predictable, flat rate each semester, regardless of the student's major.
  • Immediate Access ONE is a Digital-First program. Professors can request print upon course material request. Students can freely preview Immediate Access ONE materials in Canvas through the opt-out date.

     

    Any required books, eBooks, coursepackets, and lab manuals are included in Immediate Access ONE. Homework platforms (Connect, MyLab, Advantage, PackBack, etc.) and access codes are included, too.

    What's not included:
    Course supplies such as lab coats, goggles, art supplies, lab supplies, and certain access codes (TK20) are not included but can be purchased from the ISU Book Store. Lab Archives (more from John later) is a required digital content is not able to be included in the flat rate and will be charged separately to the student’s U-Bill. Select Perusal content, Kindle eBooks without an ISBN, Marvel Unlimited subscription) will need to be purchased with a debit/credit card from the content provider. Optional materials are not included and can be purchased from the ISU Book Store.

     

    Immediate Access ONE is for every undergraduate student. Regardless of major!

    All graduate-level courses will continue to utilize the Immediate Access Program or purchase print books.

    *Although not common, if you are a student taking an undergraduate course, you will have required textbooks and expenses for both Immediate Access ONE and Immediate Access.

     

    Digital textbooks and courseware are delivered through Canvas. Print books will be available for students to pick-up at the Iowa State University Book Store. Open Educational Resources (OER) and Course Reserves are distributed by the University Library.

     

    The most significant difference between Immediate Access ONE and Immediate Access is that Immediate Access ONE includes only undergraduate course textbooks. Traditional Immediate Access will be for graduate course textbooks. Immediate Access ONE also includes required print materials, while Immediate Access is only for digital content.

     

    No, faculty retain full academic freedom under this program. Most required undergraduate digital or physical course book is included in Immediate Access ONE. Required coursepackets, lab manuals, access codes, and courseware are included too.

    Digital materials must pass the University’s Security Protocol and have the ability to be delivered through Immediate Access ONE to be included. For more information, please review “Can I utilize non-textbook materials for my coursework, such as course packets or software?” or email immediateaccess@iastate.edu. Course supplies such as lab coats, goggles, art supplies, lab supplies, etc., are not included in Immediate Access ONE at this time, but students can purchase them from the Iowa State University Book Store. Only required undergraduate course titles are included in Immediate Access ONE. Optional, Alternative Choice, and Go to Class First titles are not included in the program.

    You may continue to use any materials you previously used in your courses, including paid publisher materials, Open Educational Resources, Course Reserves, and other materials that support your students. Whatever you choose, it's very important to submit all textbook adoptions every semester. If we're not aware of what you're using, we can't include it in Immediate Access ONE.

     

    Digital-First is the default format for Immediate Access ONE, if available. Digital formats cost less, improve accessibility, are conveniently delivered to students through Canvas, and don't require students to source printed copies. Faculty may still request print textbooks. Students can also choose to opt out of Immediate Access ONE and buy any format they prefer. Supplemental Immediate Access loose-leaf book may be available for some titles. If a student wishes to keep the Immediate Access ONE digital version of a title and purchase a print copy, please contact immediateaccess@iastate.edu

     

    It is understood that a one-size-fits-most model may not meet the needs of every course format, curriculum, or mode of instruction. Instructors can request print upon submitting their course material adoption.

     

    We highly suggest making course material choices as you always have. Keep in mind if you increase the number of required books, it will ultimately increase the rate of Immediate Access ONE. You should also not make books required if they are not needed to be successful in the course. The number 1 complaint we still get from students is being informed that a book is required for a course and the book is rarely or never used. Please be mindful when choosing your course materials.

     

    It depends. You are free to continue to use the same content as in previous terms, but depending on the type of material, there may be some extra steps that need to be taken. If the material is required print item (coursepacket, Extension Store) it will be included in Immediate Access ONE. If the material is not required (i.e., optional titles), we will have copies available for students to purchase either in-store or online at the ISU Book Store. If the content is digital, it will need to pass the University Security Protocols and have the capability to be deployed by the ISU BookStore. Below is a list of platforms that can’t currently be offered as part of Immediate Access ONE; if you want to know if a material can be offered in Immediate Access ONE, please contact immediateaccess@iastate.edu

  • Lab Archives
  • Perusal Free Content
  • Kindle eBooks without an ISBN
  • Marvel Unlimited subscription
  •  

    Great! We encourage you to use free course materials like Open Educational Resources (OER) because that helps keep the flat rate of Immediate Access ONE as low as possible. We applaud all faculty efforts to minimize or eliminate course material student costs.

    It's still important to submit course material adoptions every semester so that student booklist is correct. Please complete your adoption form even if you aren’t assigning any books for your class.

     

    Before submitting book chapters or journal articles please contact the Iowa State University Library to make sure you are following Copyright guidelines.

     

    Digital items are automatically activated and deactivated in the student’s Canvas account as they change courses. Approximately 24 hours after their course change, they will gain/lose access to those textbook

    Print textbooks will need to be returned for dropped courses to the ISU Book Store to avoid being charged a replacement cost. For added courses, students will need to pick up a print book from the ISU Book Store.

    If a student does not see their correct digital materials in Canvas, please have them contact immediateaccess@iastate.edu

    *If instructors don't submit a textbook adoption, we won't know to include their course materials in Immediate Access ONE. It's very important to submit timely adoptions each term.

     

    Yes, students can choose to opt-out Immediate Access ONE each semester by clicking on the opt-out button in Canvas. Students will receive multiple emails from the ISU Book Store about how to opt out and reminders about deadlines. Please see, “Can I opt out of Immediate Access ONE? How do I opt-out?” in the student FAQ for details.

     

    Digital:
    Students can purchase individual eBooks and courseware by selecting the Compare and Purchase option on the item in Canvas. Once they complete the purchase, digital activation instructions will be provided to them via email. Students can also purchase directly from their booklist on the ISU BookStore webpage.

    Print:
    Students can purchase individual books by selecting the Compare and Purchase option on the item in Canvas. They will be able to order from the ISU Book Store or use the Price Comparison tool. Students can also purchase directly from their booklist on the ISU BookStore webpage or purchase in-store.

     

    Yes, but some digital materials have an access period. This access period can range from 150 days to lifetime access.

    Most eBooks that students read in VitalSource Bookshelf can be downloaded to a device and read after the term is over by using the free Bookshelf app. eBooks that are part of a homework platform or courseware are only usable for the semester they were primarily provided unless otherwise noted, access to these materials expires once the term is over.

    Students keep any print materials they receive. Students can sell these books back to the ISU Bookstore for Textbook Buyback.

     

    Here is a suggested insert for your syllabus. Please note that some courses you are teaching may fall into IMMEDIATE ACCESS ONE, while other courses are just using Immediate Access.

    IA ONE Syllabus Language for Digital Materials

    IA ONE Syllabus Language for Print Materials

     

    This process remains unchanged. Reach out to your publisher representative to request a desk print copy.

    If you have a digital desk copy then the eBook is available on your VitalSource Bookshelf or through the publisher.

     

    There is no change to the current process. See our Textbook Adoption page for detailed instructions. Adoptions must be submitted each term through the Collect Adoption tool. The tool offers a time-saving way to re-adopt materials from a previous term. If you need assistance, please contact your department coordinator or Emma Hartman (ehartman@iastate.edu).

     

    Students can purchase individual books by selecting the Compare and Purchase option on the item in Canvas. Or students can buy print textbooks from the retailer of their choice.

     

    Financial aid can be used to cover textbook expenses. Contact financialaid@iastate.edu for specific questions regarding your coverage.

     

    If your course does not require any course materials and doesn’t utilize Canvas, students enrolled in your course will get an email from Iowa State University Book Store no-reply@verbasoftware.com on how to opt out. In this email is a link students can click on to confirm they are opting out of the Immediate Access ONE program. However, if they are enrolled in at least one course that requires course materials, they will see an opt out button on the Canvas course which they can click on to opt out. It is up to the student to decide whether to optout of Immediate Access ONE or not.