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Learning Commons Manual & Resources

Virtual Bookstore (Akademos)

How To Process the LSC Online (Akademos) Book Order

  1. Log into the Akademos portal.
  2. In the Campus Pickup Tool, scan the tracking number on the package. TIP: A tracking number can be scanned, but it includes a prefix. 420773399241996901177439564527.  Simply delete the prefix from the rest of the tracking number and it will pull up the exact package you need.  In this example, the package says: 9241996901177439564527 but it scans as 420773399241996901177439564527.
  3.  If the tracking number is unscannable, look for the student ID number information on the package.  Example: BKSTR 7713927KIMBAL

Unfortunately, sometimes the tracking number is the only thing on the package, and it may not pull up the order.  When this happens, PUT IT ON ANNE's DESK as a problem or You may open the package carefully as there should be an order slip with the student’s name and ID number on it.  If there is no order slip with useful information, place the package on the Library Coordinator’s desk (Anne’s desk.) This is a problem.

  1. Once you have pulled up the correct order in the Akademos portal, “snip”(use snip & sketch) and print (grayscale & landscape mode) the order. 
  2. Press the “Send Reminder Email” button and the “Send Reminder Text.   
  3. Open Workflows and the Kingwood.LRC-Circ@lonestar.edu email. 
  4. Pull up the student’s record in WorkFlows and copy the student’s lonestar.edu email address.
  5. Send the student an email from our Circulation email using their lonestar.edu email and cc any additional email address (gmail, yahoo, ymail etc) that the student might have on the package.
  6. The subject line: Your LSC-Online Book order is in at LSC-Kingwood Library/Learning Commons!
  7. Copy and paste and send the form letter located in the online responses folder.  Example:

Picture of Pickup email

   

  1. On the printed snip of the order, print the date the student email was sent, and the student’s name and ID number. 
  2. Wrap the package using the printed snip with a rubber band or tape the printed snip to the package.
  3. Place the package in ABC order in the back of the workroom.

The Pick Up Process

A student is at the LC Service Desk saying he received an email that their book is ready for pick up…

  1. Ask the student to show you identification such as student ID (or DL and student ID number.)
  2. Log into the Akademos portal and type the ID number. It will tell you if the package is available for pickup.
  3. Walk to the back of the Workroom and get the package.
  4. Verify that the package is the correct one.
  5. Hand the package to the student.
  6. In the portal, click on the “Mark Pickup” button.
  7. Also click on the “Send Pickup confirmation email.” This will notify both the student and Akademos that this order is complete and has been picked up.

                                                      

Scenario:

A student is at the LC Service Desk asking if a book is available….

  1. Ask the student if they ordered a book through the LSC Online Bookstore.
  2. If  the student says yes, then you can look in the Akademos portal to see the status of their book. (shipped, delivered, back ordered etc.)
  3. If the student says no, then ask if the book is one that their instructor put on Reserves and check the Course Material Guide. (If we don’t have the book, ask the student to ask their instructor to put one on Library Reserves.)
  4. If the student says no it is not a Reserve book, but just a book they wanted to “check out.” Direct the student to a PT Reference Librarian to check the Library catalog.

Because we have limited space in the Learning Commons Workroom, we will need to send reminders to the students to pick up their orders.  

Here is an example:

Subject Heading: Reminder: Your LSC-Online Book order is in at LSC-Kingwood Library/Learning Commons!

Late Notice for Bookstore Orders

For those patrons that still haven't picked up their order, the deadline may have already passed.  We can send another notice to them to see if they want to pick up their package in order to sell their book(s).

Subject Heading: Your LSC Virtual Bookstore order is still here at LSC-Kingwood/Library Learning Commons!

Selling book to textbookx.com

The Lockers (Parcel Pending)

The Locker Process (for the students)

  1. Student orders textbook via the virtual bookstore: https://www.lonestar.edu/bookstore.htm (The Learning Commons can help the student order their book.)
  2. The student will receive two emails from the bookstore, one saying it's been shipped, and one saying it's been delivered.
  3. Darien Grant in the Mailroom in CLA delivers the shipped textbook to the Learning Commons Service Desk.
  4. The Learning Commons Service Desk staff process the order via the Bookstore admin portal to get the Name and ID number of the student who ordered the book. 
  5. The LC staff clicks the Akademos button for pickup then proceeds to the locker email. 
  6. The LC staff send the student an email that it will be in a locker in front of the library building, but if they have any problems, to come to the Service Desk. The email also has contact information and hours we are open. 
  7. Once the book is in the locker, an automated email with a barcode to scan is sent by the locker company (called Parcel Pending.)
  8. The student takes the email with the barcode and scans it at the locker.
  9. The locker will open.
  10. The student takes their textbook and closes the door.

Once Darien delivers us the package from the mailroom, it takes only a few minutes for us to process the order and put it in the locker. There is an expiration date, so any textbooks the students haven't picked up after the locker expiration date will be unloaded from the locker and placed in the secure Library workroom until the student is able to pick it up. If the students haven't picked up the item in over two weeks, we will send them another email reminding them to pick it up.  

The Locker Pickup Process

  1. After the student orders their textbook, they will receive two emails, one saying it’s been shipped, and one saying it’s been delivered to the campus.
  2. Darien Grant in the CLA Mailroom delivers the shipped textbook to the Learning Commons Service Desk.
  3. Log into the Akademos portal.
  4. In the Campus Pickup Tool, scan the tracking number on the package. (TIP: A tracking number can be scanned, but it includes a prefix. 420773399241996901177439564527.  Simply delete the prefix from the rest of the tracking number and it will pull up the exact package you need.  In this example, the package says: 9241996901177439564527 but it scans as 420773399241996901177439564527.)
  5.  If the tracking number is unscannable, look for the student ID number information on the package.  Example: BKSTR 7713927KIMBAL
  6. Once you have pulled up the correct order in the Akademos portal, “snip”(use snip & sketch) and print (grayscale & landscape mode) the order. 
  7. On the printed snip of the order, print the date the student email was sent, and the student’s name and ID number.  (This makes it easier to know how long a book has been in the locker if the student doesn’t pick it up.)
  8. At the lockers, tap anywhere on the screen to begin.
  9. On the Welcome screen, select the Parcel Pending logo in the upper left corner.
  10. Enter your access code, then click on “Continue.”
  11. Press Load Parcel.
  12. Scanning the package seldom works, but it will bring up the “Enter recipients name” screen.
  13. Type the student’s ID number, and select the recipient.
  14. On the next screen, select the proper locker size for the recipient’s package.
  15. The locker door will open.  Put the package in the locker, and close the door firmly.
  16. After delivery, press the Confirm the Load button.
  17. (If needed, use the Change box size option to choose a different sized locker.
  18. When finished, make sure to log out.
  19. Send the student an email from our Circulation email using their lonestar.edu email and cc any additional email address (gmail, yahoo, ymail etc) that the student might have on the package.
  20. The subject line: Your LSC-Online Book order is in the locker in front of the Library Building!

  21. Copy and paste and send the form letter located in the online responses folder.  Example:Example of Locker pickup email

Virtual Bookstore Website and Guides

 

(Akademos) LSC Virtual Bookstore helpline : 866.722.5061

(Akademos) LSC Virtual Book Store Website Customer Service Phone Number: 203-866-0190

Library eBook vs Bookstore eBook Library

Student's may call or visit the Service Desk saying that they are having trouble accessing their eBook.  First find out if they are trying to check out an eBook through our library catalog: electronic resources, or if they are having trouble with an access code they purchased from the Virtual Bookstore. 

If a student is having trouble checking out an eBook through our library catalog, refer the patron to a PT Librarian.  The patron may need a library barcode or they may need help with getting to eBook Central (ProQuest) or eBook Collection (EBSCO.) The student may simply be missing where to click in the Library catalog:  

However, if a student is having trouble accessing their eBook that they purchased from the Bookstore, please refer the student to the Virtual Bookstore. You can also ask the student to try this:

  1. Go to the LSC Virtual Bookstore.
  2. Log in with student email and password
  3. At the top right-hand side will be the student's name. Click on it to show the dropdown menu.
  4. Click on eLibrary.

  5. All access codes that were bought through the LSC Virtual Bookstore will be there. Some will just give the code for students to copy, and some will walk the students through multiple steps to get the access code. It all depends on the third-party vendor. Students may also need to have either the professor's course/class/access code or the professor's link to the website normally found in D2L but could be sent by the professor in an email. 

  6. Access code still not working? The student already tried contacting LSC Bookstore online? NEW! From Amy Payne, Course Materials Manager for Lone Star Colleges. For student questions and issues: 

  • Email: help@vitalsource.com

  • Phone: 855-463-5531

  • Chat:  go to www.lonestar.textbookx.com/help and click on chat. 

 

 

When a student signs into Akademos, and if they qualify/ are eligible for financial aid, they will be given the opportunity to purchase the necessary textbooks with the financial aid amount awarded to their account.  Once the textbooks are purchased, the amount will then be taken from their financial aid award. See book advance link: https://www.lonestar.edu/book-advances.htm

LSC-Kingwood Learning Commons | Ask Us: Kingwood.LearningCommons@LoneStar.edu | Research and Tech Help: 281.312.1693 | Book Support: 281.312.1691 | Tutoring: 281.312.1439 | LIB 100, 20000 Kingwood Drive, Kingwood, TX 77339