No longer is astronomical the modifier of choice for students when describing textbook prices, thanks to the Baylor Bookstore’s new Rent-a-Text program. Available both online and in-store, the program gives the bookstore a fresh way to compete with other textbook sellers and is a program that directly benefits students and eases their financial stresses.
It’s no secret that websites like Half.com and major Internet distributors like Amazon have been providing ample reasons — most preceded by dollar signs — to plan ahead when it comes to ordering textbooks online.
On July 1, a new law that is part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act took effect, making it easier for students to anticipate the costs of a course prior to registration.
Baylor now provides the ISBN and retail information for all books required for a course. The new law provides students with another way to seek cost-effective and sound textbook options.
Official numbers won’t be available until mid-semester, but a projected average has the Rent-a-Text program saving students more than half of their book costs.
Some books have a rental fee at or only slightly below the cost of a used version, making it more advantageous to purchase the book with the ability to sell back.
Even though the rental option is not the best option in all cases, the program is a step in the right direction.
As more students look off-campus to purchase their books, the on-campus bookstore is beginning to incentivize students. The bookstore’s location and Baylor connection, paired with the rental option, makes the store a highly competitive option for students.
If students continue to embrace this more affordable option, the Baylor Bookstore should consider increasing the number of textbooks available for rent — especially those that affect the most students at Baylor, such as the texts for Christian Scriptures courses.
The entire textbook system, not just rentals, has numerous kinks in its system. From the transition to a highly digital era to the annual release of the new edition of a book, the college textbook system has much to conquer.
This new program is one small victory for the Baylor Bookstore. The rental option alleviates some of the financial stress on students, while also serving as a great way to promote conservation in a world more focused on green efforts than ever before. Thanks to rentals, a book serves more students and will not simply sit on a shelf unused.
The Lariat applauds the new rental program and recommends students further investigate their on-campus options for texts.
The Baylor Bookstore recognizes the fervor students possess in searching for affordable texts and that if it was to move toward a more technology-focused inventory students of our generation would be sure to take it and run with it.
As a national research institution we ought to be one of the first to research, implement and improve cutting-edge innovations — including the innovations surrounding course textbooks.
Overall, the new program is cost-efficient, helpful and a promising sign for changes to come.