Beacon Book Faculty FAQ

The Beacon Book Program is an equitable access program that makes getting textbooks easier for students. Students will receive their textbooks by the first day of class, and they will save an average of 35-50% on the cost of textbooks.

There are no upfront student costs at the start of term.

Barnes & Noble College’s research with students has shown that 49% of students attend the first day of class without their course material. The Beacon Book Program ensures all students who do not opt out have access at the same time.

Faculty contribute to the program’s success by submitting their course material selections to the VU Bookstore before the adoption deadline each semester and selecting course materials that can be provided to students through the program. For example, we encourage faculty to select digital materials that can be provided through Canva to avoid any added costs on top of the program’s flat rate. VU Bookstore staff is ready to assist with any questions you may have.

Approximately one month before classes start, students will receive an email from BNC instructing them to select their fulfillment preference (in-store pickup or shipped directly). A second email notification will be sent when the student’s order is ready for pickup or when it ships. Any digital materials delivered through Canva will be available when the student has access to their course.

The program provides the faculty-selected required version of all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and digital materials to eligible students.

The program does not include consumables that cannot be returned and reused such as lab goggles, dissection kits, molecular model kits, or nursing kits.

Yes, below is sample language that can be used in the syllabus to inform students about their course materials.

This course is part of our course material delivery program, the Beacon Book Program. The bookstore will provide each student with a convenient package containing all required physical books and any digital materials will be integrated into Canvas for this course.

You should have received an email from the bookstore confirming materials provided for each of your courses and asking you to select how you would like to receive any printed components (in-store pick up or home delivery). If you haven’t done so already, please confirm your fulfillment preference so the bookstore can prepare your materials. Students who do not want to participate in the Beacon Book Program may choose to opt out.

To access your digital materials within Canvas

Publishers deliver course material in different ways through Canvas depending on the type of course material your instructor requires.  Click on the “Course Material” link on the left-hand side of Canvas to view the required material information.

• eBook – click on course material > click on the “Read Now” button.
• Access code – click on course material > click on “Reveal Access Code” > copy the code revealed to your clipboard > click on the publisher link on the left side of Canvas or any link found in the modules or assignment sections > paste the code to launch your access.

Publisher direct – when you click on the course material link, you will only see course material information and the “want to opt-out button”.  This is because your material is delivered through the modules and assignments. The book or access code work is embedded in links by your instructor.

If a faculty member changes their course material adoption, faculty should promptly notify the VU Bookstore of the new adoption and the Bookstore will ensure that students receive the corrected course materials.

The VU Bookstore is committed to helping as they normally do in those situations and will work to update the textbook adoption platform with the new materials.

Yes. Students are charged a flat rate for all their course materials, regardless of whether one of their classes requires books or not. In order to not be charged, students will need to opt out of the program and will be responsible for purchasing materials for their other courses.

When a student changes their course schedule, instructions are provided for returning course materials, and they will be prompted via email to select a delivery preference for any new courses added.

Students are given the opportunity to review their individual course materials and opt out of the program every semester. All undergraduate courses at the University are part of the Beacon Book program, and faculty do not have the ability to opt their courses out of the program.

For additional support regarding the Beacon Book Program, please email .