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News National Used Textbook Association Launched Lincoln, Neb. It is imperative that textbooks are affordable and to provide students with high-quality educational materials. However, the increased frequency of new editions, unexpected bundling of course materials and less timely faculty adoption rates continue to drive up the cost of textbooks. The Used Textbook Association advocates the role and value of used textbooks in the marketplace and is working toward a solution to the problem of textbook affordability while providing students with high-quality educational materials. Barry Major, Chief Operating Officer, Nebraska Book Company and President of the Used Textbook Association, said: "With textbook prices soaring, used textbooks are a viable option to dramatically reduce the cost students and parents are facing. In many cases, buying used can reduce the cost of a textbook by 75%. Because of this, the demand for used textbooks far exceeds the supply available to students. However, the value of used textbooks is often lost in the discussion of what can be done to address the issue of rising prices because there has been a lack of a unified industry voice. This association creates that unified voice for the industry and is working to lower the cost of education through promoting affordable textbooks." Students deserve the choice between new and used textbooks and bundled and un-bundled items – all of which impact textbook affordability. The Used Textbook Association will work to improve consumer choice and increase competition; key factors in keeping prices in check. Dr. Jeff Zeilenga, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, University of Missouri, said: "As a parent of a college student and an administrator, I am pleased that The University of Missouri is committed to keeping the cost of educational materials as low as possible. The University BookStores are proud to offer a high percentage of used books and we continue to explore multiple strategies to do our part in keeping education affordable for our students and their families. The Used Textbook Association provides us an additional resource to achieve our mission of keeping course materials affordable." Over the next year, the Used Textbook Association will be focused on adding additional bookstores as members; supporting legislation to assist professors in understanding changes in new editions and aiding in the de-coupling of textbook packages; informing faculty of the importance of timely adoptions to create stronger buy-back programs; and launching a proactive campaign to increase the supply of used textbooks. Bob Pugh, CEO, MBS Textbook Exchange, Inc., said: "The university bookstore has often unfairly born the brunt of criticism about the rising costs of textbooks. The very best way the campus bookstore can deflect this is to bring real value to its customers with an aggressive used book program. No matter how you slice it, recycling used books remains the best deal for students. No store needs to be defensive of offering top prices for buying used books and having as many used books available for sale as possible. The value proposition offered by the used book can’t be beat." The Used Textbook Association was formed in August of 2006 by BUDGEText, MBS Textbook Exchange, Nebraska Book Company, New Jersey Books, Southeastern Book Company, Texas Book Company, and Tichenor College Textbook Company. The Association is currently in the initial membership recruitment phase with close to 50 members. Industry Issues (Research noted below is taken from Harris Interactive studies with US College Faculty and US College Students, conducted April 2005.) Publisher merchandising practices of frequent new editions, bundling, and customization are leading to rising textbook costs. There is an overwhelming link between frequent new editions with minor changes and increased textbook prices. Sixty-nine percent of the professors surveyed stated that new textbook editions tend to contain only minor changes. In addition, 85% of professors stated that new editions cause textbook prices to rise for students. Added to the overall issue of publisher merchandizing techniques is bundling. In total, about two-thirds (65%) of students have unexpectedly experienced bundling – the inclusion of other materials with the textbook. Seventy percent of professors believe bundling causes the price of textbooks to rise and half (54%) report this practice prevents students from selling textbooks back or from obtaining used copies of textbooks. Just 19% of student who have used the ancillary materials see them as useful. Faculty Adoption Rates Used Textbooks are Down-Played as a Viable Alternative
USED TEXTBOOK ASSOCIATION |
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