2008 Woodie Awards
Textbook rental programs:
Should PSU sign up?
Tonya Tomory
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Front Page
One-third the cost
The National Association of College Stores says that renting a textbook costs about one-third as much as buying a new textbook. The NACS says that renting textbooks costs less than buying used or old edition books as well.
Exact financial figures are not the same for every school that participates, but NACS says the capital to start up the book rental program needs to include money for supervision, inventory, storage space and maintenance crew.
According to NACS, book rental programs have been successful in schools with strongly supported communities and directed leadership. Support from faculty members is the key element in making the rental program work.
MSSU students interviewed agreed that book rental programs are the way to go.
"The rental [program] is awesome," said Mark Clark, MSSU graduate student. "My little sister went to Pitt State and was always angry that I got to rent my books."
John Ockert, MSSU junior in nursing, says he sees no downsides to the rental program.
"It doesn't make sense to buy a textbook," Ockert said.
Angela Jones, MSSU sophomore in nursing, says her average price for textbook rentals at each semester is $100-127. The fines for not returning the books on time are another term of rental.
"It helps us out a lot with money," said Jones. "We don't have to pay large amounts of money on books we're just going to use for a semester."
What PSU students say
PSU students and faculty interviewed said a book rental program would be beneficial to students.
"I think it would be good because the majority of the time students will return the book(s) anyways ... Pitt should go to renting," said Jessica Conrad, senior in psychology.
Cynthia Allan, interim chair of the Department of Communication, says textbook rentals would be a relief for students taking general education courses, because the text changes so much.
Viewing Comments 1 - 7 of 7
Allen Dunn
posted 4/10/08 @ 3:11 PM CST
I once participated in KSC's (now PSU) book rental program back in 1962, shortly before it was scrapped. If I recall correctly, my 1962 Fall semester fees were $108; $96 for tuition, student activity ID card and other incidental charges. (Continued…)
Gavin
posted 4/15/08 @ 10:59 AM CST
You have to realize how much money is made by the bookstores and how much power they have. This will largely prevent any real competition in terms of rental programs. (Continued…)
Daniele
posted 4/18/08 @ 1:09 PM CST
Renting is a stopgap measure for the real problem, which is exorbitant prices for books, particularly ones that have unnecessary content, such as CDs and online stuff. (Continued…)
David Slatton
posted 4/24/08 @ 3:03 PM CST
Don't let the powers that be fool you. Book rental is not that hard of a system to set up. I rented my books at Missouri Southern and never spent more than $90. (Continued…)
Beth Gabern
posted 4/24/08 @ 6:11 PM CST
What some people do not realize is that some students actually like to keep their books. As a future teacher I find a lot of my books will be important once I begin working. (Continued…)
Cordelia Sykes
posted 4/25/08 @ 3:29 PM CST
Like Ms. Gabern, not only do I like to hold onto some of my books (and I mean "some"), I also like to write (or highlight) in my books (even if I do ultimately decide that I'd rather not look at it anymore). (Continued…)
observer
posted 4/25/08 @ 9:27 PM CST
Schools themselves shouldn't invest in textbook rentals. There are plenty of services online that solve this problem for you:
(1) Chegg.com
(2) Bookrenter. (Continued…)
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