With a wide array of options for purchasing books online, distance learners are often not disadvantaged by their inability to visit the campus bookstore. However, every college and/or university should consider the ability of its bookstore to fulfill distance learner requests.

A. Access to the Bookstore
Since most distance learners are in theory familiar with the Internet, it is safe to assume that they will first seek information about their courses’ required materials online before contacting the bookstore. As such, each college or university should have an updated bookstore website that specifically addresses the questions of online learners (e.g. what materials are required for my course; where can I order my books; how do I order my books, etc.)

B. Ordering Textbooks
All courses developed by The Learning House, Inc. contain a Getting Started section that includes information about the bookstore. That section will address what texts are used in that course and how to order the textbooks.

The Virtual Bookstore
Colleges and universities can send their online students to an online bookseller, such as Amazon.com, or they can establish their own online bookstore. Learning House, in partnership with the online bookseller, eCampus, can setup a fully online bookstore. The Virtual Bookstore is customized and branded in the name of the client. The client never handles the books, materials, apparel or other products that are advertised on the Virtual Bookstore. Clients can receive 10 percent for the purchase of books, materials, supplies and apparel, and they can receive five percent for buy backs of books. There is no charge to the client for the development of the virtual bookstore.

Key Questions for the Bookstore

• How will online learners discover which books they will need for their classes?
• How will they obtain their books?

Information Required by Learning House
In each LH supported course, there is a section covering basic bookstore information. To place this information in the course, LH will need:

• A short description of the bookstore and the services provided to online learners (about 50 words).
• The preferred link to the bookstore Web site.
• Contact information (optional).

Please provide this information to the program manager. He or she will provide it to Learning House.