Taking Action to Contain COllege Expenses: Cultivating a Collection of Textbooks for High-Use Classes

Abstract

The cost of tuition and related expenses has become a hot topic. The College Board estimated that the cost of textbooks per student per year was nearly $1,200. One institution has created and maintained a collection of textbooks for high-enrollment classes for the past decade. This session will provide an overview of how this project began and has evolved over time to respond to challenges (anticipated and otherwise). Those viewing this poster should be able to identify possible financial resources for starting a service, potential issues which must be anticipated, and possible responses to these issues; or, if they have a similar service, they may gain an understanding of different choices that have been made at another institution and how they have played out. Topics addressed in this session will include: Creative strategies for obtaining funding, publicizing availability of textbooks, usage patterns, strategies dealing with un-returned items.