Bookstore Account and Textbook Adoption Information
Attention Students
These instructions do not apply to students. Students can log in to the bookstore website to set up a student account.
The following information is for faculty, staff, and external agencies.
Account Setup Instructions
Barnes & Noble College offers a variety of flexible solutions to enable students and college departments to obtain course materials and other products from the online and on-campus bookstores. We realize that there is a high degree of variability in how college departments use the bookstores to support their students and/or their departmental needs.
If you have questions about setting up an account that are not covered in the following documentation, then please contact the college's bookstore manager (see college store contact information).
Department/Program Purchases
Use the following process for bookstore(s) purchases intended for the use of the college department or program – for example, office supplies or textbooks for a lending library.
If your department/program will be providing financial aid for students to use individually at the bookstore(s), then see the district/college-managed financial aid guidelines.
Request Account
If you do not already have an account, then send an email request for your department/program to the college bookstore manager (see college store contact information) with the following information:
- Department name
- Contact name, phone number, and/or email address for the account
- Mailing address for the department
- Payment method (ACH/check)
- Sales tax exemption certificate (if applicable)
- Confirm any purchase restrictions on the account (for example, supplies only or textbooks only)
- The email address(es) of the individuals who will need a copy of the invoice
Make Purchase Order Request
After Barnes & Noble College has confirmed account set up for your department/program, you will need to follow the standard purchase order (PO) process for district or campus-based funds, as applicable, in order to make purchases with Barnes & Noble College. Email purchase requests to the college bookstore manager from your district/college email account (see college store contact information).
Only those individuals you authorize via the PO process are allowed to make purchases on the Barnes & Noble College department/program account. Invoicing is completed monthly and will be emailed on the first of the following month.
District/College-Managed Financial Aid
Common examples of district- or college-managed financial aid include EOPS, CalWORKs, Promise Program, and Los Rios Colleges Foundation textbook scholarships. Use the following process to allow individual students to make purchases using financial aid funds at the bookstore(s).
Request Account
If you do not already have an account, then send an email request for your department/program to the college bookstore manager (see college store contact information) with the following information:
- Program name
- Contact name, phone number, and/or email address for the account
- Mailing address for the department
- Payment method (ACH/check)
- Sales tax exemption certificate (if applicable)
- Confirm any purchase restrictions on the account (for example, supplies only or textbooks only)
- The email address(es) of the individuals who will need a copy of the invoice
Provide Student Information
After your account is created, the bookstore manager will request the initial list of students and the amount they are authorized to spend at the bookstore(s). The list of students must include the following information:
- Student first and last name
- Student ID number
- First date available for use
- Last day available for use
- Total amount available for student
After the initial account is set up, you may add or make changes to existing student authorizations as needed by sending additional requests to the college bookstore manager (see college store contact information).
External Agencies or Other Third Parties
The following instructions are for external agencies or third parties that are not part of Los Rios.
Request Account
Email the bookstore manager (see college store contact information) with the following information:
- Type of account, for example, Government or Other Third Party (whatever is most appropriate for your particular entity) – common examples include VA, Voc Rehab, Dual Enrollment, or other sponsoring agencies/businesses
- Contact name, phone number, and/or email address for the account
- Mailing address for the department
- Payment method (ACH/check)
- Sales tax exemption certificate (if applicable)
- Confirm any purchase restrictions on the account (for example, supplies only or textbooks only)
- The email address(es) of the individuals who will need a copy of the invoice
Make Purchase Order Request
We realize that financial aid, agency, or third-party accounts may have to send multiple communications to add students to their accounts. Please send your initial and subsequent student lists to the college bookstore manager and they will enter those students as customers under your account. The student list must include the following information for each eligible student:
- Student first and last name
- Student ID number
- First date available for use
- Last day available for use
- Total amount available for student
Once the account is established and the list has been input into the system, students may make purchases on the bookstore website.
Course Adoption Instructions
Barnes and Noble Adoption and Insights Portal: Faculty Training Guide
To submit adoptions for course materials, or to let the bookstore know that no materials are required, faculty can use the bookstore's online adoption tool, the Adoption and Insights Portal (AIP).
To get started:
- Go to the AIP.
- You will be directed to log in with your Los Rios credentials.
- There will not be any adoption history showing the first time, but you can select the link that says "I'd like to be guided through the adoption process," and follow the prompts. There is also a link that says "I'm not using any materials for this class."
- Alternatively, you can email the bookstore manager (see college store contact information) with your adoption information, and it will be entered into the system.
FAQ
What is the new process and timeline for textbook adoption?
The timeline for textbook adoption will be similar to previous terms. The textbook adoption process with Barnes & Noble will utilize their Adoption Insights Portal. Barnes & Noble will host virtual meet-and-greet sessions during Flex Week in August 2026 to introduce faculty to the Adoption Insights Portal. They will provide comprehensive training for Spring 2027 adoptions in September and October 2026.
Who can a faculty member contact if they have questions or need help with textbook adoption?
Contact your area dean if you have questions about or need help with the textbook adoption process.
Is there training information for the Barnes & Nobles bookstore processes?
Barnes & Noble will host virtual meet-and-greet sessions during Flex Week in August 2026 to introduce faculty to the Adoption Insights Portal. They will provide comprehensive training for Spring 2027 adoptions in September and October 2026.
When will the bookstores at ARC and SCC be open?
Campus bookstores at ARC and SCC will be closed from July 3 through July 12 while Barnes & Noble sets up the stores. They will re-open on July 13.
The online bookstore will be available starting on July 13.