University Bookstore has competition for student dollars

As the fall semester begins, students file in and out of University Bookstore to purchase textbooks and other needed supplies.

Unfortunately, finding books for some students has been difficult because the Bookstore does not have all of the required textbooks in stock.

According to Gary Adams, general manager of 49er Shops, there should be signs posted for those books that are not yet available. On the signs should be information about when students can expect the book to be in the Bookstore and an explanation about why it's not in stock.

Any time that a textbook is not available for the students due to some fault of the Bookstore, the store will print the first chapter of the text "free of charge for the students so that their education is not interrupted," Adams said.

University Bookstore is not the only place students purchase textbooks. Another option is an off-campus bookstore called University Text, located on Bellflower Boulevard, which carries many of the same titles as University Bookstore at a less expensive rate.

Adams said the reason textbooks are so expensive in University Bookstore is because the publishers keep raising the prices. Also, he said the university is required by the state to pay benefits to its employees, an obligation that University Text does not have.

University Text may have some lower prices, Adams said, "but they do not carry all the titles. There are a number of titles that are non-returnable and so University Text just kind of picks and chooses the ones that they want to carry."

"Most of the time, students can get out of here with at least 90 percent of their books," said Greg Reardon, manager of University Text. "But because a lot of teachers change and are added in the first week or two of the semester it's too hard to get every book in."

Used textbooks are available for many courses, at both University Bookstore on campus and University Text.

"Last year we sold about one-third of our total textbooks in used books and we expect about the same this year,"Adams said. "Most of the used books are in the freshman and sophomore class levels because once people get to the junior and senior levels, they usually keep their books."

At University Bookstore, the cost of a used textbook is approximately 25 percent lower than the cost of the same book purchased brand new, Adams said.

At University Text, used textbooks are about 25 to 30 percent lower than new versions of the same text, Reardon said.

In University Bookstore, used textbooks can be found in the same area where new copies of the same text are located.

For students who have trouble finding their textbooks, there is a book information counter on the lower level.

In addition to books and supplies, the Bookstore carries a wide variety of trinkets and gifts ranging from candles and coffee mugs to health and beauty supplies.

The Bookstore also carries a large selection of backpacks and clothing such as T-shirts, sweatshirts and hats.

Money orders, bus passes, postage stamps and class rings can also be found at the Bookstore along with a variety of services for students such as fax services, resume services, check cashing services, and film and photo processing services.

Typewriters are available for students to rent at the Campus Copy Center, which is now located on the north wall of the Bookstore. The copy center offers many copy services to students including duplicating, typesetting, book and report binding, and transparencies.

The Computer Store, located on the upper level of the bookstore, sells computer software and hardware in addition to various types of small electronics. Computer repair services and rentals are also available through the Computer Store.