WELCOME TO VOLBOOKS

What is Total Access?

TOTAL Access is a new program that offers one flat fee, per term for all required undergraduate course materials, similar to a subscription plan. Where Inclusive Access lowered the cost of individual items, TOTAL Access reduces the overall cost for required course materials across all undergraduate disciplines and areas of study. Our vision is to provide equal opportunity, affordability, and success for our diverse student community. This program is a digital first model, and VolBooks is working to have the program ready for the Fall 2024 term.

What is a course material?

A Course Material is a textbook or other instructional tool, such as courseware, that is used for or in conjuction with classroom instruction and is adopted for academic use by faculty members, instructors, or the person or entity in charge of selecting learning materials at the state institution of higher education.

What is a digital course material?

A Digital Course Material is an ebook, courseware, or ebook+courseware that can be accessed from a mobile device such as a computer, laptop, iPad, or phone.

What is the difference between required, optional (recommended), and choice course materials?

My book is out of stock. How can I get it?

Our system allows you to backorder New books. If you choose to have your order shipped, it will be sent to you when it arrives. If you chose in-store pickup, you will be notified when your order has arrived and is ready for pick-up.

My course indicates “No Text is Required”. What does this mean?

Your instructor has indicated that no materials need to be purchased for the class.

My course indicates “No information found”. What should I do?

This indicates that the instructor or department has not yet submitted course material information. Please check back in a few days or check with your instructor.

Where do I find my course packet?

Course packets are submitted to Volbooks in the same way as other printed materials and will be listed on our site under the course/section. These items can be purchased from our website and picked up in the store, delivered to a campus locker for pickup or shipped to your address.

Can I use a clicker for more than one class?

Yes. You can purchase a clicker from the store or utilize the Turning Technologies app on your phone.

When is the last day I can return my books for a full refund?

Please see the refund deadlines listed below.

When will I receive access to my ebooks?

Ebooks purchased in the store or online are physical items (usually a card or envelope) with a code and instructions inside. They are listed on the website the same as a physical, print book. The physical package contains important information. Do not discard anything until you find the code and instructions. Ebook Access codes are non-returnable once opened.

How do I access my digital book? (Digital Purchase)

Digital books (180 day digital access) purchased on our website are confirmed with an email that includes the code and instructions. If you do not see the email in your inbox- please check junk/spam folders.

I didn’t get a code for my digital book purchase. What do I do?

If you don’t receive an email with code and instructions within one business day, contact Volbooks.

Higer Education Opportunity Act

PUBLISHER REQUIREMENTS.— ‘‘(1) COLLEGE TEXTBOOK PRICING INFORMATION.—When a publisher provides a faculty member or other person or adopting entity in charge of selecting course materials at an institution of higher education receiving Federal financial assistance with information regarding a college textbook or supplemental material, the publisher shall include, with any such information and in writing (which may include electronic communications), the following: ‘‘(A) The price at which the publisher would make the college textbook or supplemental material available to the bookstore on the campus of, or otherwise associated with, such institution of higher education and, if available, the price at which the publisher makes the college textbook or supplemental material available to the public.

FI0155 – Minimizing the Cost of Textbooks and Course Materials; Duplication and Distribution of Instructional Materials Prepared by Faculty

SECTION 1. Policy Statement

Books and Course Materials Sold Through On-Campus Bookstores

A. On-campus bookstores must:
1. Require faculty members to acknowledge in writing the price of the textbooks and materials during the submission process.
2. Disclose to students and faculty members on a per-title and per-course basis the costs to students of purchasing the required textbooks, and electronic or written course materials, such as workbooks, manuals, etc., through an e-commerce website following activation before the start of each term.
3. When possible, provide students the option of purchasing textbooks and other study products separately from each other if selling textbooks to students as part of a bundled package.
4. Ensure that students have access to information regarding which course materials are required or optional. Each on-campus bookstore must ensure that this information is published on viable channels, including the on-campus bookstore’s website. Each on-campus bookstore must publish this information before courses begin and will publish the information as available. This information must include, but is not limited to, the International Standard Book Number (ISBN).
5. When a publisher provides copies of required textbooks to the campus at no charge, the on-campus bookstore must provide copies of required textbooks to the applicable academic department or through the reserve system of the campus library. The academic department or library will provide access to the textbooks at no charge.

B. On-campus bookstores may offer an optional Flat-Fee Access program providing students all required course materials, for a set fee charged to a student’s account.

C. Buyback programs: if an on-campus bookstore conducts a book buyback program, the on- campus bookstore must actively publicize and promote the program.

D. Inventory management
1. On-campus bookstores must work with the institution’s administration and faculty members to ensure that the faculty submit to the on-campus bookstore lists of required textbooks and course materials in a timely manner to ensure that a sufficient quantity of the textbooks and materials are available for purchase when courses begin.
2.On-campus bookstores must utilize existing bookstore staff levels to manage and monitor textbook inventory.

What is Inclusive Access (IA)?

Inclusive Access items are digital course materials available to students on the first day of class. The cost of the material is charged to the student account (via "MyUTK" account) for all students who are registered for a participating Inclusive Access course. The cost is reduced through negotiation with the publisher due to the participation of the class, section or course in Inclusive Access.

All course material are available for purchase ONLINE ONLY.

When will my order be ready to pick up?

Customers will receive an email when their order is ready to be picked up. Please allow 24-72 hours for the order to be processed.

How do I cancel my order?

To cancel your order please have your Sales Order number, then either call us at 865-974-1050, or email us at volbooks@utk.edu requesting that the order be cancelled. If your order has already been processed then it will be issued a refund instead of a cancellation.

Why was my textbook cancelled from my order?

If a textbook was cancelled off of the order it is because VolBooks was out of stock for that title and we were not able to order another copy.

The following table shows a list of partners that currently participate in our IA digital program.