A new chapter in textbook access
Book rental program aims to lower cost of textbooks for students
by Tyler Buckentine
Issue date: 8/26/08
Section: Campus News
At the start of each semester, students become victims of one of college's most effective wallet drainers - textbooks.
The Minnesota State Student Association has created a solution to help MSU students and their budgets this fall.
MSSA formed the "Maverick Reserve Program" in May and requested a grant to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in March that would fund textbooks for a rental program.
"It's an opportunity for students to access textbooks in a different way," said Leslie Peterson of Library Services. "Right now universities are looking for ways to make textbooks more accessible and easier to afford."
So far MSU is the only state university in Minnesota that uses the program.
"That's something I'm really proud of," said Ryan Anderson, who began working on the project after being inaugurated as MSSA president in spring 2008.
"There are different colleges and universities that use a different variation of this and this is what we're doing," Peterson said.
MnSCU granted MSU $5,000 on May 1 to purchase a limited number of textbooks per class section. MSU Library Services kicked in funds for extra funding for the books' shelving space.
Targeted textbooks include certain books, mostly general education, in the $80-100 range, according to the proposal. There are 2,754 students enrolled in the 16 participating class sections.
Students are allowed to rent textbooks for two hours at a time, although the books are to remain in the library for the duration of the rental.
Total savings for students are estimated at $47,264. Formal assessments of the program will take place in October, March and April to evaluate its long-term viability and decide if the program will be used in the future.
For now, the program is still a work in progress and is considered a trial run.
"It's really tough because we don't have a model to look at - we're peering into a crystal ball right now," Anderson said.
"The student senate is the real pusher and driver behind this but been it's been a cooperative effort between senate, the bookstore and the library," Peterson said.
The Maverick Reserve is set and ready for students to use. Textbooks are available for rent behind the front desk.
Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter managing editor
The Minnesota State Student Association has created a solution to help MSU students and their budgets this fall.
MSSA formed the "Maverick Reserve Program" in May and requested a grant to Minnesota State Colleges and Universities in March that would fund textbooks for a rental program.
"It's an opportunity for students to access textbooks in a different way," said Leslie Peterson of Library Services. "Right now universities are looking for ways to make textbooks more accessible and easier to afford."
So far MSU is the only state university in Minnesota that uses the program.
"That's something I'm really proud of," said Ryan Anderson, who began working on the project after being inaugurated as MSSA president in spring 2008.
"There are different colleges and universities that use a different variation of this and this is what we're doing," Peterson said.
MnSCU granted MSU $5,000 on May 1 to purchase a limited number of textbooks per class section. MSU Library Services kicked in funds for extra funding for the books' shelving space.
Targeted textbooks include certain books, mostly general education, in the $80-100 range, according to the proposal. There are 2,754 students enrolled in the 16 participating class sections.
Students are allowed to rent textbooks for two hours at a time, although the books are to remain in the library for the duration of the rental.
Total savings for students are estimated at $47,264. Formal assessments of the program will take place in October, March and April to evaluate its long-term viability and decide if the program will be used in the future.
For now, the program is still a work in progress and is considered a trial run.
"It's really tough because we don't have a model to look at - we're peering into a crystal ball right now," Anderson said.
"The student senate is the real pusher and driver behind this but been it's been a cooperative effort between senate, the bookstore and the library," Peterson said.
The Maverick Reserve is set and ready for students to use. Textbooks are available for rent behind the front desk.
Tyler Buckentine is the Reporter managing editor
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