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High textbook prices draw national attention

11:07 a.m., April 26, 2004--The California Public Interest Research Group reported in January that the average California student spends almost $900 on textbooks each year, often because publishers alter the book formats and page numbers to render older editions and used copies obsolete. It said publishers sell similar editions overseas for much less. Textbook publishers deny the charge, but 15 U.S. Congress members and several governors called for a probe.

Cosmo Olivieri, general manager of the University Bookstore, said the most frequent comment his staff hears from students is that the editions they purchased at full price can’t be resold. “I would say 10 to 15 years ago the life expectancy of an edition would be four to five years. There would be ample opportunity for students to sell the book back. Now publishers are changing editions every two years,” Olivieri said.

Barnes & Noble, with more than 500 campus bookstores, rolled out a new used book effort in March after a marketing research group reported 77 percent of college students polled were more likely to buy a used book, and students are looking beyond their campus bookstores for used texts. Barnes & Noble campus bookstores that meet their goals get an extra week’s pay for everyone in the buyback program.

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