Class Sets on ePlatform: What They Are & How They Work

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes | Last updated: August 2025

Managing a whole class reading the same book has always been a challenge for schools. Buying and storing dozens of print copies can be expensive and time-consuming, and making sure every student has access at the same time is rarely simple.

That is why ePlatform offers class sets. These digital sets give every student their own copy of a text for a fixed period, making it easy for teachers to run literature circles, novel studies, or curriculum-wide reading without the hassle of print logistics.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how class sets work on ePlatform, who can access them, how to order, and what teachers and librarians need to know before getting started.

Key Takeaways

• Class sets on ePlatform make it easy for every student to access the same eBook simultaneously, supporting curriculum-wide reading.
• Class sets can be ordered directly from the ePlatform Shop with just a few clicks, no matter how your school subscribes.
• Schools can set the number of copies and the loan period, ensuring each student keeps access for the full term or unit.
• Pricing is flexible and scales with the number of copies, giving schools control over class-wide budgeting.
• Currently, class sets are for eBooks only and do not include audiobooks.

Table of Contents

• What Are Class Sets on ePlatform?
• Who Can Access Class Sets?
• How to Find and Order Class Sets
• How Students Access Class Sets
• Class Set Pricing and Loan Periods Explained
• Do Class Sets Include Audiobooks?
• Tips for Teachers and Librarians
• FAQs about Class Sets
• Final Thoughts

What Are Class Sets on ePlatform?

If you have ever tried to organise enough books for an entire class, you know how much of a headache it can be. Between ordering physical copies, waiting for deliveries, and managing who has which book, the process can take weeks of valuable teaching time.

That is where Class Sets on ePlatform come in. Instead of juggling boxes of books, schools can purchase additional digital copies of the same title for their own private collection. Whether it is Runt by Craig Silvey or a prescribed English text like Of Mice and Men, class sets make sure there are enough digital copies for every student to borrow at the same time.

Class sets sit seamlessly alongside your existing ePlatform collection, whether private or shared. Once copies are added, students borrow them as they normally would. The key difference is that everyone in the class can now access the same title simultaneously.

With Class Sets, the focus shifts away from chasing books and onto what really matters: getting students reading, discussing, and engaging with the same story together. 

Who Can Access Class Sets?

Class Sets are available to every school using ePlatform. You can purchase class sets for the titles your students need without relying on a consortium or shared pool.

Class Sets work as a private collection layered on top of your existing ePlatform access. This means even if you are part of a shared collection, your school’s class sets remain exclusive to your students.

The process is simple. When your school purchases a class set, those extra copies are added directly to your school’s private collection. Students then borrow them just like any other title in ePlatform. If you are part of a shared collection, class sets still appear alongside it, but only your school can access those copies you have purchased.

Some schools ask about format. At present, class sets are available only for eBooks. If your library also holds the audiobook version, students can still borrow it individually, but it will not be part of the class set.

The bottom line: Class Sets are designed for all schools, regardless of size or subscription type. If your school uses ePlatform, you can access them.

How to Find and Order Class Sets

Finding and ordering a class set is simple once you know where to look. The process starts with your school’s existing collection:

Check available copies

Browse for the title in your library, click the book, and look to the right-hand side of the web browser. This shows how many copies your school already has available.

Go to the Shop

If you need more copies than you currently hold, head to the ePlatform Shop and search for the title. Use the Class Set filter to view titles that can be booked in bulk. Note that not every eBook is available as a class set, but most popular curriculum texts are.

Select the Class Set tab

On the title page, click the “Class Set Booking” tab. Here you can use the scrollable bars to set both the loan duration and the number of copies you want. For example, you might request 30 copies of Runt for one term.

Purchase and activate

Once purchased, the class set will sit alongside your existing collection but will be exclusive to your school. The extra copies are instantly added, making the book available to as many students as you ordered for the full duration selected.

Pricing is transparent and adjusts based on the number of copies and the length of the booking. If you are unsure, you can experiment with the sliders in the Shop to see how different options affect the cost before finalising your order.

How Students Access Class Sets

Once a class set is booked, the extra copies sit in your school’s private collection. Students then borrow the title in the same way they borrow any other eBook. The difference is that with multiple copies available, the whole class can borrow the book at once without waiting. The loan period matches the duration you selected when booking the class set.

This streamlined setup ensures the whole class starts reading at the same time, making it easy for teachers to run group discussions, assignments, or comprehension activities around the text.

Class Set Pricing and Loan Periods Explained

One of the first things schools want to know is how pricing works for class sets. The cost is based on two factors: how many copies you need and how long you need them for. Ordering a set for a whole term will look different from borrowing the same set for just a few weeks.

Class sets also break away from the standard two-week loan rule. When you purchase a set, every student in the group keeps their copy for the full duration you choose. There is no need to chase renewals or worry about access lapsing midway through a unit.

You may notice that the per-copy cost changes depending on the size of your order. The good news is that per-copy pricing for class sets is usually discounted compared to single-copy loans. In many cases, the more copies you book, the more you save—making class sets a cost-effective choice for whole-class reading. This is tied to publisher licensing agreements and is completely normal. If you ever want a clear breakdown, our support team can provide a detailed quote so you know exactly what you are paying for.

In short, class sets give schools predictable pricing and full control over timing, making them a practical way to align reading with your curriculum. 

Do Class Sets Include Audiobooks?

At the moment, class sets on ePlatform are only available for eBooks. Audiobooks are not part of the class set model.

This means if you order a class set, every student will receive a digital copy of the eBook version for the set period, but not an audiobook. Students can still borrow audiobooks individually from your school’s library collection if they are available, but these loans work separately from the class set function.

We know many teachers value audio support, especially for students who benefit from listening and reading at the same time. Expanding class set access to audiobooks is something we are actively exploring, and we’ll update schools as soon as this becomes available.

Tips for Teachers and Librarians

Class sets are most powerful when paired with thoughtful planning. Here are a few ways to get the most out of them:

Plan ahead with the catalogue

Browse the available class set catalogue early in the term so you can secure the titles you need. Popular texts often book out quickly, especially for core curriculum novels.

Communicate with students

Make sure students know how to find their copy in ePlatform. Walk them through the process once, and you’ll save time later when assignments begin.

Use class sets alongside physical books

If your school still holds print copies, combine them with ePlatform class sets to give students options. Some may prefer reading on screen, while others stick to paper.

Link to assignments and discussion

Set clear reading goals for the period of the class set loan. Encourage highlights, notes, and in-platform features that support comprehension.

Check analytics

ePlatform’s admin tools allow you to see how students are engaging. Use this data to monitor progress and identify students who may need extra support.

FAQs about Class Sets

Can I order different loan periods?

Yes. Schools can choose from flexible loan periods, typically 2 or 3 months, depending on how long a unit runs. This makes it easy to align with your teaching schedule.

Is there a minimum or maximum number of copies?

Class sets can start from as few as 3 copies and scale up to 150. This makes it flexible whether you are running a small group activity or a whole year-level study.

Do students need separate accounts to access their copy?

No. Students use their regular school login. A class set simply adds extra licensed copies to your school’s collection. Students still borrow the title like any other eBook by finding it in their library.

Can I extend the loan period once it’s started?

Schools can choose flexible loan periods, from 1 month up to 12 months, depending on how long the unit runs.

Are class sets available for every title in the catalogue?

Not every eBook can be supplied as a class set, but many popular curriculum texts are supported. In the ePlatform Shop, you can filter for class sets to see eligible titles.

Can I order audiobooks as class sets?

Not at this stage. Audiobooks are available for individual borrowing but not yet in class set format.

Final Thoughts

Class sets on ePlatform give schools a practical way to bring whole-class reading into the digital space. Instead of chasing down multiple print copies, teachers can assign eBooks directly to every student and manage access with ease.

By combining flexible loan periods, curriculum-aligned titles, and straightforward ordering, class sets make it simple for English faculties and librarians to run group reading programs that actually work. While audiobooks are not yet part of class sets, the eBook offering already supports a wide range of classroom needs.

If you want to see how class sets could support your school, the best place to start is by browsing the ePlatform catalogue. With the right setup, your students will always have the text they need, right when they need it.