Earlier this year, Barnes & Noble issued a press release on its program of renting textbooks. The press release, dated January 11, 2010, is available here: http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/press_releases/2010_jan_11_textbook_rental.html
The press release says that B&N, which runs the college bookstores at about 636 campues, started with three campuses and expanded to 25 campuses at the time of the press release. I remember that back at this time, the local news channel NY1 had run a couple of news stories on this since CUNY's Borough of Manhattan Community College was among the early adopters of the program. I suspect that B&N has ramped up the program and will be using it a significant number of its campus bookstores, including other CUNY schools. It should come as no surprise that textbook rentals is becoming a hot business though certain booksellers, such as Borders, do not at present offer it. Borders has announced a "textbook marketplace" plan and more info on it can be obtained here: http://vator.tv/news/2010-07-21-borders-opens-up-textbook-marketplace The article at the link above provides some info on the growth of the business. -Mike Palij New York University [email protected] On Thu, 22 Jul 2010 10:08:34 -0700, Miguel Roig-Reardon wrote: |Today I was somewhat surprised when a NY City metro area |university that I shall not identify here announced that their campus' |bookstores, which are operated by a private entity, are going to start |offering textbook rental services starting this Fall. Presumaby, the |rentals will result in "upwards of 50 percent off new textbook prices". |In addition -and I thought this was interesting- the program allows |students to highlight the textbooks and take notes throughout the |text. And just like a leased car, the student can also buy the textbook |at the end of the term. | |I said that I was somewhat surprised because although I am one of |those who feels that textbooks have become overpriced, and because |I recognize that some students who buy their textbooks (a few others |seem not to even bother purchasing them) end up getting rid of their |books at the first opportunity, I feel this rental program undermines |the real purpose of a college education. At the same time I think that |textbook renting perpetuates a business/consumer approach to learning. |This sort of thing just does not feel right to me. | |Out mere curiosity, do any of you know of institutions which have a similar |textbook rental program? --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=3736 or send a blank email to leave-3736-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
