Update on Textbook Request Prioritization

Update on Textbook Request Prioritization

As the Last Minute Lecture platform continues to develop, we are currently focused on completing two major priorities: finishing the functionality of the website and moving the existing library of content from YouTube to the new platform. Because of this ongoing transition, new textbook requests are currently taking longer to be covered than they have in the past.

We want the community to know that your requests are being received, and we sincerely appreciate the many thoughtful submissions students have sent in. These requests help us understand what students are studying and where additional support is most needed.

What changed

Moving forward, textbook requests that include a provided legal copy of the textbook will be heavily prioritized.

Providing access to the textbook allows us to begin production immediately and guarantees that the book will be covered. Requests that do not include a provided copy will still be recorded, but they cannot be guaranteed coverage.

We also want to acknowledge that some students have already submitted textbooks for coverage and may still be waiting. Those requests remain in our queue and have not been forgotten. The team is continuing to work through them as the platform migration progresses.

Why this matters

The Last Minute Lecture library receives a large number of textbook requests from students across many different courses. With a small team managing the platform, prioritizing requests that include the textbook allows us to work more efficiently and ensures that the content we produce can be delivered to students as quickly as possible.

At the same time, requests without a provided copy remain valuable. They help us understand which textbooks students are searching for, and if we are able to locate a legal copy, those books may still be added to the platform.

What to expect going forward

In the near future, we plan to introduce a community voting system for textbook requests.

Because of the volume of requests the platform receives, it is not always possible for the team to cover every book that is submitted. A voting system will allow students to signal which textbooks are most needed. If many students in the same course request or vote for the same book, that demand will help prioritize coverage.

Students are still encouraged to submit textbook requests even if they do not currently have a copy of the book. These submissions help us understand what the community is studying and guide future expansion of the library.

Thank you for being apart of the Last Minute Lecture Family!

— The Last Minute Lecture Team