2008 Woodie Awards
Textbook prices continue to increase dramatically
Daniel Gamberg
Issue date: 4/28/08 Section: News
In that last decade, many alternatives have become available for students. Numerous enterprises advertising cheap deals on used books or book exchanges can be found on the Internet. The Foothill-De Anza Community College District is also pursuing open educational resources and digital textbooks that would help reduce costs for students and families.
Also contributing to rising textbook costs is the process in which textbooks are ordered. When a professor chooses a textbook for his or her class, the textbook price is not listed and students are left paying the price. "Everybody could make more informed decisions if they had prices," said Montgomery.
Some educators have found alternatives by assembling compilations of relevant texts instead of requiring students to purchase the entire book.
The library has also increased their supply of reservation textbooks, making more texts available for loan. "Our reserve materials and textbooks are very much in demand," said adjunct librarian Derek Monypeny. Another way students are combating textbook prices is by using earlier "outdated" editions with negligible differences.
Students can purchase textbooks online at stores such as http://www.campusbooks.com, http://www.collegebooksdirect.com and http://www.textbooksnow.com.
Daniel Gamberg is the assistant copy editor La Voz. Contact him at danielgamberg@lavozdeanza.com.
Also contributing to rising textbook costs is the process in which textbooks are ordered. When a professor chooses a textbook for his or her class, the textbook price is not listed and students are left paying the price. "Everybody could make more informed decisions if they had prices," said Montgomery.
Some educators have found alternatives by assembling compilations of relevant texts instead of requiring students to purchase the entire book.
The library has also increased their supply of reservation textbooks, making more texts available for loan. "Our reserve materials and textbooks are very much in demand," said adjunct librarian Derek Monypeny. Another way students are combating textbook prices is by using earlier "outdated" editions with negligible differences.
Students can purchase textbooks online at stores such as http://www.campusbooks.com, http://www.collegebooksdirect.com and http://www.textbooksnow.com.
Daniel Gamberg is the assistant copy editor La Voz. Contact him at danielgamberg@lavozdeanza.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Rudy
posted 4/29/08 @ 11:45 AM PST
The price of college textbooks is outrageous, especially if you consider it against the inflation rate. There is a good article at http://www.college-cram. (Continued…)
Jake Parent
posted 4/30/08 @ 10:08 AM PST
Textbook prices are criminal and definitely detrimental to the fiscal health of the student body.
ceiowybcubwcuy
posted 5/02/08 @ 6:43 PM PST
The bookstores are the real thieves here! Their markup is WAY more than 22 percent!
Post a Comment