Textbook Alternatives

Sometimes a traditional text is still your best option. In that case, you can still take a few steps to help with the cost issue.

1. Use links to articles in place of coursepack articles
You can reduce the expense of course-packs by linking to articles in the library's electronic collections and preparing course-packs only for those not in the library's e-collections. The university is already paying large subscription fees for electronic journals; we don't need to make the students pay again.

2. Submit your required readings info as early as possible
There is high demand for used texts across the country. The earlier the bookstore can place orders, the more likely they will be able to obtain used copies for FSU students.

3. Inform students of viable alternatives
Is your text available in a cheaper electronic form, like through the CourseSmart link below, or, better yet, through the library on a multi-user license? Can students rent the text? Will a previous edition work for your course? Informing students of options can help them to save money, or to obtain the book when the bookstores are out-of-stock.

4. Avoid assigning custom texts and code packaged textbooks
Custom texts may be cheaper than the new hardcover edition of the standard text, but custom editions usually cost more than a used copy of the standard text. Students often can’t resell custom editions after the course (money they often need to buy the next semester’s texts).

Code packaged texts can make it difficult for students to save money with a used text. Although publishers are required by federal law to sell the codes separately; in practice they don’t always provide this option to students or sometimes charge exorbitant prices for the codes. By law publishers must inform instructors of the code cost. If you assign code-required options, ask for price and availability of the access code before you adopt a text.

5. Consider small publishers that may be new to the textbook market 
We need more competition in the textbook industry and some small players have more reasonable prices.

6. Check the course catalog to see the price listed for your text
​Publishers sometimes quote faculty the wholesale price at adoption, but then copies in stock at the bookstore have higher prices. Some faculty have questioned this and gotten price reductions for students.

7. Don't sell your review copy texts to the book buyers roaming your halls
This phenomenon adds to the spiraling textbook price problem. The Text and Academic Authors Association provides suggestions on what to do with complimentary copies you don't keep (link below).

8. Give students time to obtain the text
Some professors assign an online article from the library or other free reading during the first week--waiting till the 2nd week to use the text.

9. Place a copy of your text on Reserve at FLITE
(See links in the right column.) This provides an option for low-income students. It also helps when the bookstore runs out of copies. 

Reserves Tips: 

• Place your Reserves request early. If you wait till classes begin, staff are less likely to be successful in putting the book on reserve in a timely fashion.
• If the library doesn't own the book, it's possible to place a personal copy on Reserves. (See print/media reserves information to right.)
• If you want the book on Reserves for subsequent semesters, you must resubmit the electronic form (link at right).