Digital textbook option saves students dollars

BOWLING GREEN, O.—The BGSU Bookstore has expanded its offering of digital textbooks this fall, giving students an option that can save them money.

A year ago, the BGSU Bookstore was among 10 nationwide to offer downloadable digital texts to students in a pilot program created by MBS Textbook Exchange in partnership with a group of major textbook publishers.

In the fall 2005 Universal Digital Textbook program, 19 different titles were offered in 20 BGSU courses, affording students a chance to save up to one-third of the new book price. As the 2006-07 academic year begins, 47 titles are being offered in 53 courses, ranging from business, education, philosophy, biology and geology to journalism. The savings have increased, too. It is now up to 40 percent, which means a $100 book in print can be had for $60 in digital form.

"We're not looking to replace print books, but it doesn't hurt to have another option," said Holly Amos, course materials assistant at the BGSU Bookstore.

Stored in a laptop rather than a book bag, digital texts are easier on the back as well as the wallet. They're available to students as cards, similar to electronic gift cards and phone service cards. Students present a card to a bookstore cashier, who activates it by swiping it at the register. The textbook can then be downloaded and accessed via software that allows document searching and printing, highlighting, note-taking and other features.

Amos and bookstore Director Jeff Nelson are members of a campus committee that's exploring other cost-saving alternatives for students in regard to course materials. Among the possibilities are textbook rentals and iChapters, which students may purchase one at a time.

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(Posted September 05, 2006 )