Book battles

'U' should make book lists available to all

The first couple of weeks of the semester are always a stressful time for students, regardless of class standing. Students move into new homes, amend schedules and purchase all needed supplies. Of the numerous rituals in which students partake, buying books rates as one of the most burdensome tasks of each semester. The current system students use - procuring texts from a small selection of outlets - certainly could use a measure of revision. A few substantial but practical changes could make purchasing textbooks a more palatable experience for students.

The expense of college texts is the most straining aspect involved when buying books. To lift some of the financial load, more competition should exist between bookstores selling textbooks.

A lack of competition is present because Ulrich's Book Store, Michigan Book and Supply, and the Michigan Union Bookstore run the Textbook Reporting Service. University professors use this service to order the books they want for each class. The list of necessary books, which is not made public, gives the three main textbook stores a large chunk of the University market. Instead of allowing the bookstores to run the service, the University should compile the list itself and make it public.

With a public list, there is a good chance other area bookstores, even large chains such as Borders or Barnes and Noble, would begin selling some textbooks. Bookstores are able to return books they do not sell to the publisher without financial loss. Considering Ann Arbor's large student population, many bookstores likely would jump at the chance for extra revenue.

Making the list prices public would give students more places to shop, increasing competition and thus driving prices down. Also, chain stores, if given the opportunity to sell to students, might offer discounts to attract business.

A public list also would give students the ability to shop for some of their course materials at home, before they arrive on campus. For this to happen professors would have to turn in their lists of books in a reasonable amount of time before the semester.

Of course, time is the other major difficulty involved when purchasing books. Students sometimes waste a good deal of time the first few days going from store to store looking for books that may not be available. Even if they are, lines are almost always long. The University, as a part of developing a more computerized campus, should look into including book availability as an addendum to the online courseguide. Ideally, the books needed for each class could be posted with the course descriptions. Also, area bookstores that carry the titles could be listed. Perhaps in the future, students could access the inventory of each particular title and its availability at area stores from the University Website.

Buying textbooks has long been fraught with difficulties. The current system is far too inefficient and costly for students. The University needs to play a more active role to encourage greater affordability and organization. In doing so, the University will protect student interests, which should be its greatest concern.

09-09-98