Textbook and Course Materials: Faculty Guide

As part of Lesley University's transition to a student-directed course materials model, we ask that faculty include the Title, Author, and ISBN for required texts directly in the syllabus, which should continue to be posted on MyLesley (Blackboard) as usual. With this information in hand, students will be able to purchase their materials from the retailer of their choice, including Amazon, Chegg, ThriftBooks, AbeBooks, or VitalSource, rather than through a single bookstore vendor. Including the ISBN is especially important, as it ensures students select the correct edition regardless of where they choose to shop.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• What to Include on Your Syllabus
• Finding the Correct ISBN
• Requesting a Free Desk Copy
• VA Education Benefits What Faculty Should Know
• What Students Are Told
• Quick Checklist for Faculty

What to Include on Your Syllabus

For every required text, list:

• Title
• Author
• ISBN (the specific edition you intend students to use)

If a resource is optional, clearly indicate it as "recommended" rather than "required", students are told to confirm this distinction with you directly during the first week of classes, so expect some early check-in questions.

If your course uses a free or low-cost alternative, note that clearly too:

• Open Educational Resources (OER) — such as OpenStax or LibreTexts titles — should be flagged and linked directly in MyLesley so students don't assume they need to purchase anything.
  

• Library reserve copies — if you've placed a copy on course reserve, mention this on the syllabus so students know a no-cost option exists for short-term, in-library use.
  

Finding the Correct ISBN

If you don't have the exact ISBN on hand — for example, when a publisher issues a new edition — use one of these tools to confirm the correct Title, Author, and ISBN before finalizing your syllabus:

• Google Books — search by title/author to view all available editions and their ISBNs.

• WorldCat — useful for confirming publisher, edition, and format details.

• Publisher's own catalog site (e.g., Pearson, Cengage, Wiley) — most reliable when a specific edition is required for coursework.

• BookFinder or CampusBooks — the same tools students use to compare prices; searching your title here also shows the price range students should expect.
  
  

Requesting a Free Desk Copy

Publishers widely offer free desk (or "examination") copies to instructors who adopt a text for their course.

For publishers not listed (e.g., Macmillan Learning, Springer, Norton, Elsevier, or smaller academic presses): search the publisher's site for an "For Instructors" or "Request a Copy" link, or contact their faculty sales/higher-ed rep directly. Have ready: instructor name and shipping address, course number/name, semester taught, expected enrollment, and the title/ISBN.

A note on proof of adoption: Some publishers, especially smaller academic presses, ask for confirmation that a campus bookstore ordered the book. Since Lesley does not operate a bookstore, this can create a snag. If a publisher requires this, submit your syllabus (showing the ISBN listed as required reading) as adoption proof instead, or contact our office for an institutional confirmation letter on official letterhead that you can attach in place of a bookstore order number.

VA Education Benefits What Faculty Should Know

Students using VA education benefits, particularly those on Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment), may need pre-approval before purchasing materials and can be limited in where they're allowed to buy from. If you have students in this situation, or if a student mentions VA funding when asking about your required materials, point them to Lesley's Buying Course Materials with VA Education Benefits guide before they purchase anything.

What Students Are Told

For consistency, here's the student-facing FAQ our office maintains — it's useful to know what students are being told when they ask you questions about materials. Full article: Getting Your Textbooks and Course Materials FAQ.

• Where do I find my book list? Syllabus and Self-Service course description; confirm "recommended" vs. "required" with the instructor in week one.

• Where do I buy or rent my books? No campus bookstore — students choose from Amazon, Chegg, ThriftBooks, AbeBooks, or VitalSource, and can use BookFinder or CampusBooks to compare ISBN prices across sellers.

• Should I check the library first? Novels/general reading are often free through the library; textbooks are harder to find due to publisher licensing, but course reserves and interlibrary loan (ILL) may help as a supplement.

• Are there free textbook options? OER titles from OpenStax or LibreTexts, when used, are linked on the MyLesley course page.

• Can I split costs or buy used? Students often coordinate informally through course groups or forums.

• What if I can't afford my books upfront? Students with a financial aid credit balance may be notified by the Student Account Office about book advance eligibility.

Quick Checklist for Faculty

• List Title, Author, and ISBN for every required text on your syllabus.

• Flag optional/recommended materials clearly, separate from required ones.

• Note any OER resources or course-reserve copies directly on the syllabus.

• Confirm your ISBN edition using Google Books, WorldCat, or the publisher's catalog if unsure.

• Request a desk copy directly from the publisher; use your syllabus as adoption proof if a bookstore order is requested.

• Be aware that VA-funded students may need to check purchasing restrictions before buying.