As the University community continues to deal with unprecedented and challenging times, staff at the York University Bookstore extend thanks to faculty and staff for the continued support.
During the start of summer semester, the bookstore team shipped 20 times the number of online orders over the same time last year. The average time from receiving an order to shipment was 36 hours, which was also faster than last year. During COVID-19, the bookstore has been converted to a fully functioning distribution centre. The bookstore has also delivered more than one-third of all materials in a digital format and expect that to increase for the Fall term.
Students’ academic success is the top priority at the York University Bookstore and to support that goal, staff are working to ensure that required course materials are in stock before the first day of classes. Early course materials submissions all bookstore staff to provide the best service to both faculty and students enrolled in Fall 2020. Every textbook and course pack submission received by July 3 helps bookstore staff to meet that goal. For custom course materials and for titles coming from overseas, the lead time could be between eight and 16 weeks. Books from previous semesters are not normally retained. It is important to notify bookstore staff of Fall 2020 term requirements and staff will either retain leftover books or re-order them.
The bookstore is implementing new ways to deliver course materials, assist faculty and students. Some of the initiatives the bookstore is working on to implement for Fall 2020 include:
- first day of class access for digital course materials (more details to follow);
- improving shipping time for printed course materials;
- extended payment forms, including yu-Card, for online orders;
- student virtual assistant to provide instant answers to easy questions such as "When will my package arrive?"
Course material orders can be submitted to the bookstore buyers by email, phone or through the online ordering system accessed through the Faculty & Staff link available on the York University Bookstore website. For an online ordering password, faculty and staff can email orders@yorku.ca. The Bookstore pages are updated to assist faculty and staff, including a list of subjects bought by buyer. If you require an ordering toolkit please email to Michael Legris at mlegris@yorku.ca. Keele campus textbook buyers: Alan Madsen can be contacted at ext. 40730 or amadsen@yorku.ca. Elisa Morera can be reached at ext. 20945 or emorera@yorku.ca. Frank Ennis can be contacted at ext. 40701 or fennis@yorku.ca. Gerard Stocker can be reached at ext. 20047 or gstocker@yorku.ca, he is also the Glendon Campus textbook buyer and can be reached at the same coordinates.
The York University Course Kit Centre is located at 043 Central Square. Please call 416-736-2100 ext. 20203 or 40727 or email ckits@yorku.ca for more information or to get your order started. Please note that in order to ensure availability of course kit/case books for Fall 2020 term before or on the first day of class, materials need to be submitted by July 3. Materials submitted after July 10 will still be accepted. Printing Services can review the materials and determine an approximate availability date within 48 hours. Every effort will be made to have the casebooks available as soon as possible.
For help and suggestions Laura Deszpa, manager of business development and purchasing, York University Bookstore is available at ext. 22063 or ldeszpa@yorku.ca.