At Western, students don't need to make separate purchases for textbooks—course materials are included on the student's bill!
Created in partnership with Akademos, Inc., and powered by TextbookX, Western's Online Bookstore provides an innovative, personalized, and affordable course material experience for students. At the start of each qualifying term, students will receive the physical and digital course materials they need in order to succeed.
How does it work?
Faculty select the course materials they want to use and submit it through the Online Bookstore, which then sources the high-quality materials in physical and digital formats.
Once students are registered for the term, the Online Bookstore compiles the materials and delivers physical textbooks to an address of the student’s choice while digital course material access information is emailed to students, ensuring everyone is prepared for their classes on the first day of classes.
The cost is included on the student bill and is calculated as a flat fee of $25 per student per credit hour, regardless of how much each individual textbook costs. There will be a $75 per credit hour fee for students enrolled in the nursing program. Students have the option to opt out of the easy access textbook program.
Physical books will be shipped to the address of the student’s choice and they can check their email for access information for their digital materials.
What are the Benefits?
By bundling course materials with a course material fee, students are provided with affordable course materials and are prepared for their classes on the first day. Students no longer need to make separate purchases, search for textbook deals, or pay for additional shipping fees.
What actions do students need to take?
Not much at all!
- Check out your course list at wosc.textbookx.com to see what materials you’ll receive
- Note that physical books will be shipped to the address of your choice
- Check your email for digital access information
Contact wosc.textbookx.com/help if you have any questions
Students do not need to take any actions to ensure their materials are delivered. The Bookstore will know what materials students need and deliver physical items to the address of the student’s choice while access information will be emailed to students as well as listed in their bookstore eLibrary account for future reference.
Online Bookstore Features:
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High-quality, low-cost course materials for all of the classes you registered for
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A personalized page showing your courses and the course materials you will receive
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Delivery of all materials prior to the first day of class
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No additional out-of-pocket textbook costs
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An integrated system where digital materials are easily referenced through the bookstore’s eLibrary
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A Customer Experience team that works year-round with 24/7 support during the back-to-school season
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Access to the bookstore's marketplace where you can sell textbooks you no longer need
Here's what you need to know/FAQ:
Program Questions
Q. Where can I find one list with everything I need for the term?
A. Visit the Online Bookstore at wosc.textbookx.com and log into the website with your school account. Your "My Courses" page will appear which will list all of the courses that you are registered for plus all of the materials that you will receive.
Q. Is this a campus-wide program?
A. Yes, all students at Western are included in this program.
Q. Does this cover all terms?
A. Yes, all courses for every term are included as a course materials fee.
Q. Can I choose not to participate and order books from someplace else?
A. Yes. Students can choose to opt out if they like, though we strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of the course fee program because it offers discounted course materials with the advantage of students being ready for their classes on the first day. IF OPT OUT ALLOWED, use our standard opt out through our website, or add school’s specific messaging: To opt out, visit the bookstore and log in with your school account. At the top of your “My Courses” page there will be an option to opt out of the program. Please note, you will be responsible for obtaining your own course materials and must return any materials that have already been sent to you.
Q. Can I change my mind to opt in or opt out?
A. Yes, students have until the given opt-out date (usually 7 days after the term begins) to decide whether to participate.
Q. Do I have to verify my order before it is delivered?
A. Nope! The bookstore will send you a confirmation email so that you know what materials you will be receiving, but you do not need to take any action to ensure the materials are delivered.
Q. Are the course materials associated with my courses physical or digital?
A. This program provides a mix of physical and digital texts and often depends on faculty choice and availability. You can log into your bookstore account to see which of your items are physical and which are digital.
Q. Can I buy other things at the Online Bookstore?
A. Yes! The Online Bookstore sells branded merchandise like apparel and gifts as well as course supplies and other items. Visit it at wosc.textbookx.com/merch. You can browse and order other items like you would on any other online retail store.
Q. Do I need to return physical books at the end of the term?
A. No, you will own the items at the end of the term. You can decide to keep them or sell them on the Bookstore's marketplace. For digital materials, you may have time limits on how long you can access them. You can review expiration dates in your bookstore elibrary account.
Access Questions
Q. How will I receive my physical items?
A. Physical books will be shipped to the address of the student’s choice
Q. How do I access my digital course materials?
A. All digital course material access information will be emailed to students on or before the first day of class. Depending on the item, materials will be available through a student’s Canvas account, a publisher website, or through VitalSource. If you need a reminder about what digital course materials you have access to, visit your bookstore eLibrary account to see a master list.
Payment Questions
Q. How much does this cost?
A. The cost is included in tuition and calculated on a flat fee per student per credit hour, regardless of how much each individual textbook costs.
Q. How is payment processed?
A. Charges are included as a course materials fee per credit hour; so students will receive a bill from the registrar office or to their student account.
Q. What happens if I drop a class?
A. Refunds will be processed in accordance with existing deadlines and procedures through the school's registrar's office.
Customer Experience Questions
Q. What happens if I drop or add a course?
A. Adding a class: The bookstore will continually check for new enrollments in classes up until the add/drop date, so any new materials that are needed will continue to be processed. To check the delivery status, visit your bookstore account and click on “Track.”
A. Dropping a class: If physical items were delivered to you, you will receive an email that will contain a packing slip/label that you can print and use to send the books back. If you have already accessed digital course materials for dropped courses, please contact the Customer Experience team for further instructions.
Other Questions
Q. Who do I contact if I have additional questions about my course materials?
A. Contact the Online Bookstore's Customer Experience team at wosc.textbookx.com/help
Q. It's the first day of class and my textbooks aren't available for pickup or I don't see the digital materials in my Bookstore eLibrary account.
A. Contact our Customer Experience team. If you've recently added a course, then the order might still be on its way. Customer Experience will give you a status update or review your account in case there is a discrepancy.
Q. What happens if physical items are damaged or destroyed?
A. If there is a problem with the items that were delivered, our Customer Experience team will replace them as needed. Contact them via the Help page on the website.
Q. What happens if I am missing a textbook or received the wrong one?
A. Contact Customer Experience via the Help page on the website and they will assist you. Make sure to include your email, course name, course section, and the isbn of the missing item.