UpDate - Vol. 12, No. 28, Page 7
April 22, 1993
Used texts an important part of annual bookstore program

     With some college texts costing between $25 and $65, "previously
owned" books are a sought-after and economic alternative, and the
University Bookstore tries to take steps to ensure their availability.
     According to Bookstore manager Paul Hanke, the secondhand books
process begins this month, well in advance of the upcoming academic year
and before the end of spring semester. Each year at this time, faculty
inform the bookstore if they are reusing a certain textbook. In such an
instance, a book has an "adoption" status and, therefore, has value and can
be re-sold, according to Hanke.
     If the book is being revised or the professor is not using it again,
the bookstore still tries to give the students some money for its exchange.
However, this can only be done if a wholesale company will purchases the
books to sell to another college, Hanke said.
     Another key factor in the used books process is determining enrollment
for the upcoming semester.
     "We consider used books to be an important part of the textbook
program," Hanke said. "We work hard to be able to offer them, which is made
easier with the cooperation of faculty in making selections early."
     Hanke said used books make up 20 percent of the total sold.
     For lower-level classes, he explained, as much as 60 percent of
required books can sometimes be available as used books.
     The secondhand texts program is beneficial to students, Hanke said.
Not only do they get money back if they return their texts for resale, but
they also get an opportunity to buy books at a lower price.
     In general, Hanke said, book prices have not increased more than many
other commodities during the 20 years he has managed the facility.
     The average life cycle of a textbook is three to four years but that
varies by the book, Hanke explained. For example, classic texts are not
revised often.
     The staff at the campus bookstore has consistently made efforts to
improve the availability of used texts, he said. For example, a new
computerized textbook management program will make the process more
organized and efficient.
     "We will be able to offer a better used books program with the
computer data base rather than the present manual method," Hanke said.
                                        -Torra DeLano-Nuttall