Why This Is Important
This FAQ decision tree provides guidance on course material adoption, including marking courses with no materials, distinguishing ebooks from courseware, handling ISBN formatting in spreadsheets, entering OER materials, uploading CSV files, selecting access lengths, and accessing materials timing. It also covers obtaining instructor copies via BibliU and explains when students can access their materials based on adoption status and LMS settings.
| If the question is... | Then the answer / next step is... |
|---|---|
| Do I have to enter anything if my course doesn't require materials? | Yes, mark the course as "No adoptions needed" so it shows as confirmed on your institution's booklist. |
| How do I know if I'm using an ebook or courseware? | If the title is interactive (assessments, gradebook, LMS-graded activities), it's courseware. If it's a digital reading copy, it's an ebook. See the definition cards. |
| Do I need to order both an ebook and courseware? | Sometimes, but not usually. Many publishers bundle ebook access with courseware. Check the title's description before adopting both. |
| My CSV keeps changing ISBNs to 1.23E+12. | Spreadsheets convert long numbers to scientific notation. Format the ISBN column as Text before pasting, or paste with a leading apostrophe. |
| Do I have to enter my OER into the spreadsheet if it's free? | Yes, it's how the institution captures that the course has a confirmed material. OER without an ISBN uses NBSI. |
| I can't upload my bulk CSV file. | Re-download the latest template via Get the Template, fill it in fresh, and re-upload. Most upload errors come from outdated templates. |
| How do I know what access length to choose? | Match access length to how long students need the material by term, by year, or by program. Check with your campus store if unsure. |
| What if students need their materials for multiple semesters? | Choose a multi-term or program-length access length when adopting, instead of single-term. |
| How far in advance to class start can I see my materials? | Materials are delivered as soon as the adoption shows Available, and can be viewed once it's Delivered. Timing depends on your institution's schedule. |
| Can BibliU help me get instructor copies? | Yes, use the Search tab to find the title, then open a ticket to request an instructor copy. |
| How far in advance can students see their materials? | Once the adoption status is Delivered and the course is open in the LMS, students can access materials up to the start date set on the adoption. |
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