Textbook rentals important to bookstore success

  Thursday, June 27, 2013 2:00 AM
  News

Pittsburg, KS

For the past three years, Pittsburg State University students have been saving a considerable amount of money on textbooks through the textbook rental program at the Barnes and Noble Gorilla Bookstore.

As it enters its fourth year at PSU, the increasing popularity of the rental program is also proving to be a valuable asset to the bookstore.

“The growing demand for rentals is proving that this is what students want,” said Fawn Chesnutt, bookstore manager. “We’ve seen a substantial decrease in sales over the past few years, but the number of students renting books from us is helping to keep the bookstore viable and incredibly popular.

“It’s important that we have this option at our bookstore,” she said. “If we didn’t offer this, students would likely rent books from somewhere else. If they can find a way to rent a book instead of buying it, they will. It makes more sense to them financially."

During the 2012-2013 academic year, more than 5,400 books were rented from the on-campus bookstore, a 40 percent increase over the previous year. Chesnutt said that number is expected to increase each year as more students opt to rent textbooks.

“I don’t think there’s any doubt that this will continue to increase in popularity and demand,” Chesnutt said. “We’re looking at having 60 percent of textbooks available to rent, and I’m sure that number will keep climbing. It really is a great option for students.”

Chesnutt said the importance of an on-campus bookstore can’t be overstated.

“Along with all of the textbooks, we’re also offering apparel, electronics, accessories and gifts,” Chesnutt said. “The bookstore at Pitt State is important to the entire campus.”