The Price of Books: A Prerequisite To Learning
It's the end of a semester. A long line starts at a book return register, stretching past the coffee shop. Students make up the line with text books in hand.
The books some of the students hold may be full of yellow highlighting marks from a late night study session. Other students hold books that they used twice all semester. No matter how much use each student got from their book, they will all leave with the same amount of cash in their pocket, significantly less than the hundreds of dollars they shelled out to purchase their required text books.
Freshmen Sally Kellerhuis was one of the students in line with the intent of selling her books back to UMD stores.
“Out of the four books I purchased for my first semester classes, I only used three,� said Kellerhuis. “I barely looked at the other one.�
Kellerhuis purchased all of her books from the UMD store no later than one week into her classes.
A UMD senior, Felicia, who wished to not reveal her last name, took a different route to purchase her books. She bought from the UMD bookstore, but also purchased a few of her books online.
“I purchased from which ever had the better deal,� said Felicia. “A lot of times online was cheaper.�
Web sites such as http://www.amazon.com and http://www.barnesandnoble.com offer the sales of textbooks. One convenience of buying online is the option of purchasing a book in a paperback instead of the more expensive hardcover version.
Sophomore Shannon Bauer said she is afraid of purchasing her books online.
“I don’t want to screw up and get the wrong ones,� said Bauer.
When students purchase their books from the UMD bookstore, friendly people are around to help students find what they need. This is useful to make sure the right text book is chosen from a collection that is overwhelming at first glance. Each section is labeled by category, whether it is science, history, or communications. At the beginning of the semester, there are also signs listing the classes for which the books are required reading. The signs make it easy for students to purchase their books even if they left their required reading list at home.
If a student doesn’t want to wander around the book store but are a bit leery of buying their textbooks from a website, UMD bookstores also offer the ordering and purchase of textbooks online. Along with books, other items like UMD apparel and office supplies can be purchased.
There are no friendly people to greet shoppers at http://www.amazon.com. Instead, a search box greets users. You have to know exactly what book you are looking for. Unlike the bookstore, a student is offered more than one price. “Discovering the Universe,� an astronomy textbook is listed at $102.00. While that may hurt the checkbook, there are other options. It is also available used for $51.95. The web site also gives the student access to a previous edition for $3.62. Most times, professors approve previous editions as long as the student has all of the information that will be covered. Before purchasing a previous addition, make sure to talk with the instructor of the class.
At the end of the school year, Kellerhuis and Bauer will once again be found standing in line to sell their books back to the UMD stores.
“Last semester I sold back all 6 of my books which means I got back ten dollars,� said a sarcastic Bauer. “You get a ridiculous amount of money back.�
Selling back books is a memorable, and sometimes shocking experience.
“I was pissed!�said Kellerhuis, recalling the amount of cash she received for her books.
Felicia has clearly had her fair share of experiences buying and selling books. The topic brings no look of discontent to her face. She talks as if UMD bookstores were a market selling everyday necessities.
“The prices are fair,� said Felicia. “But I wish we got more money back.�