Once students have their housing situation figured out and are
enrolled in classes, the next step is to acquire textbooks.
Many newcomers head straight to the bookstore conveniently
located in Ackerman Union and purchase their books ““ be it
new or used.
Others do anything from bargain-shopping for books on the Web,
to swapping books with other students, to borrowing books, in order
to avoid the high prices of their textbooks.
Renting books for a fee may even be in the future of textbooks
for some students if the appropriate legislation comes through.
But aside from the numerous options available to students, the
purchasing of used books remains very popular ““ despite the
multi-colored highlights and pre-existing notes on the corners.
At the UCLA bookstore, used books are 25 percent cheaper than
new ones.
“We try to get used textbooks for any title
available,” said Neil Yamaguchi, director of academic
support.
Yamaguchi encourages students to purchase their books as early
as possible because of the limited availability of used books.
Used books sold at the store are acquired from wholesalers and
through buy-backs.
Students can sell back their used textbooks to the bookstore and
will receive up to half of the original price paid in cash.
If a specific book will not be used the following quarter or the
need has been met, students can still sell their books back, but
the amount received depends on the demand in the college
market.
This is not an option for the Web- savvy students who purchase
their textbooks through non-UCLA sources via the Internet.
Nonetheless, buying books online is a popular alternative to the
on-campus store, considering the numerous Web sites offering both
new and used textbooks.
The thing to consider is that online books need to be purchased
in advance in order to ensure timely arrival.
Though students purchasing books online can result in a smaller
number of books being bought from the bookstore, the bookstore has
not cut back on the books they offer.
“It’s difficult to order less because (the textbook
store is) committed to providing textbooks for every class,”
Yamaguchi said.
He added that even though they have seen a decline in demand in
certain disciplines, they have to ensure that they have all the
books in order to avoid problems when a book needs to be
re-ordered.
In order to save the students from the rising cost of textbooks,
the California Public Interest Research Group has been working on a
campaign against increases in book prices since January of
2004.
The effects of the campaign can be seen as early as next fall,
when the UCLA bookstore will put a number of lower-priced titles on
the shelves.
“A number of titles will be offered at discounted
prices,” Yamaguchi said, referring to negotiations with
publishing companies that led to special pricing on a number of new
books.
He added that he is excited about these new changes and hopes to
continue to work with professors and publishers in the future in an
attempt to best serve the UCLA community’s textbook
needs.
“If they decide to adapt new programs, we’ll be
right there. … We want to be a part of any new method of
distribution of course materials,” Yamaguchi said regarding
the possibility of a new line of loose-leaf materials being
distributed.
CALPIRG has been working with various lawmakers and is
sponsoring two bills that would work together to lower the prices
of textbooks.
The bills include one written by Assemblywoman Carol Liu, D-La
Cañada Flintridge, that calls for the help of publishers to
reduce costs.
The other bill, introduced by Assemblyman Paul Koretz, D-West
Hollywood, urges public colleges and universities to put in place
rental programs. The bill also includes a guideline explaining how
schools can implement these programs.
Both bills passed through the California Senate Education
Committee in June.
“It could fundamentally change the way students are
accessing books,” said Merriah Fairchild, CALPIRG’s
higher education program advocate, talking about the Koretz
bill.
Meanwhile, CALPIRG is directing interested students to a campus
book-swap Web site. This site allows students to post books for
sale or search the directory of more than 5,900 books.
Fairchild explained that through the program students set their
own price and buy books from each other.
She added that she sees the book swap as a great alternative to
selling books back to the campus stores.
UCLA will soon join more than 20 schools currently registered
with the Web site.
The book swap service is similar to a smaller-scale service
available to UCLA students through Bruinwalk.com.
Bruinwalk.com has more than 1,300 books listed on the site but
one problem cited is that some books have been posted for a long
time and may already be sold.
The Web site is not responsible for connecting the seller and it
is the buyer’s responsibility to contact the seller and make
arrangements for pick-up and payment.
The MyUCLA forum’s marketplace also offers the same
service for those interested in buying or selling their
textbooks.
The added bonus here is that those in search of books can also
post their inquiries and hope for responses from sellers.
With a completely different agenda than those looking to
purchase books and searching for deals are students who look for
ways to get around purchasing books all together.
Some students search the network of their extended group of
friends to find books up for grabs. Others decide to borrow.
Campus libraries are the first places that come to mind when
borrowing books.
Professors often put course material on reserve at Powell
Library and books can be checked out for a period of two hours at
the circulation desk on the second level of Powell.
For those who would like to keep the books longer, the
Undergraduate Students Association Council also has a book lending
program offered through the Financial Supports Commission.
The office has more than 850 books at its disposal and this
number is expected to grow.
Alex Gruenberg, the office’s commissioner said about 400
students used the program last year, which adds up to approximately
$6,000 in total savings.
Gruenberg explained that students “in need” are the
ones that get to check out the books first.
This includes those students who hold jobs or are on financial
aid.
After that, the collection is opened to all students.
The books available are donated by both students and the UCLA
bookstore.
A book drive was also held during last spring quarter that both
brought in new books and gave publicity to the program.
There is always need for more books, specifically books for
General Education classes that appeal to more people, Gruenberg
said.
He said he hopes to continue and expand the book lending program
through publicity, since the program has the resources to serve a
larger number of students.
“We have enough books that we can cover more
students,” Gruenberg said.