Fixing the books

Thanks to recent copyright laws, the spiked cost of reproduction rights is sending course packet prices sky-high. Course packets are now nearing, and even clearing, $100. Add this to the already steep prices of textbooks and it's no wonder or surprise students' bank accounts are dwindling faster than the Gephardt campaign. \nWe might not be able to curb these prices -- but we can use expensive resources with care. Instructors should be aware of what they're asking us to buy, and consider alternatives to requiring materials the class may never use. Students should explore ways to evade trips to the bookstore and work to rotate books and resources among themselves. \nThe first thing we're pushing for is an increased use of e-reserves. If readings for a class are relatively few, posting the articles online at the IU library Web site (ereserves.indiana.edu) can provide students a cost-effective alternative to purchasing a course packet. \nAnother welcomed change would be reusable course packets. Quite often the only difference in a course packet from one semester to the next is the label and fluorescent color, yet students have to buy them new, every time. If instructors made course packets conducive to reuse, they could be resold and exchanged, which would alleviate some of the financial burden. If updating a course packet is only a matter of fixing a misprint or adding an article or two, the mistake can be announced and the new article can be added to e-reserve.\nStudents can help reduce textbook trauma by implementing an exchange program that works. A little over a year ago, five students at the University of Illinois developed the Illini Book Exchange Web site. Since then, more than 2,000 books have been sold, more than 3,000 books are currently listed and $66,000 worth of textbooks have been sold through the site. Ohio University, University of Texas-Dallas and the University of Kansas have similar exchanges. \nOn the UT-Dallas Web site, student Michael Dubbs explains the benefits of such a program. "All students hate the bookstore prices for purchase and buy back. The online book exchange system offers students an opportunity to reduce book purchase prices and increase the return after use, between students. This is our chance to stick it to the bookstore." Who at IU doesn't feel the same way? \nThe IUSA currently runs an IU textbook exchange site (www.buyiu.com), but the number of books currently listed is a mere 130. University of Illinois and UT-Dallas book exchanges average about 1,000 transactions per year. The IU book exchange has seen nine. We challenge the student body to make this program work. We can help ourselves by helping each other. \nIf the current exchange isn't working, consider the benefits of being the person to revamp it -- The U of I exchange creator, James Kinzer, received media attention, funding for the site from Goodyear and has since been contacted about starting programs at four other universities. \nWe doubt he'll have a tough time finding a job after graduation.