At the beginning of every term, Heather Strack '07 makes sure to check the library on the first floor of Sigma Delta sorority to see if any of the books that she needs for her courses are hiding among the shelves.
"The library is loosely organized by subject," Strack said. "I like to look down there for a book; often they are not there, but a lot of bigger textbooks for survey classes are. I just sold all of my books back online at Barnes and Noble and the ones they wouldn't take I put in the library at Sigma Delt."
With textbook costs sometimes even exceeding $300, many Dartmouth students have found creative ways to ease the financial burden of buying books. A common alternative to buying books from local vendors is purchasing used books on the internet. Many students have found that websites such as Amazon.com, Half.com, and eCampus.com offer prices that are often lower than those at the Dartmouth Bookstore or Wheelock Books. Students have also found that these sites often buy books back or provide space for students to sell directly for more money.
"I look up the books I need for my classes over break before the term starts and I buy used copies online. At the end of the term I sell them back on Half.com," Dana Leland '09 said. "Not only are the books online often less than half the price of the books at Wheelock, but the resale value is much higher. It takes a little foresight but it has saved me hundreds at this point."
On the other hand, some students find that ordering textbooks online is not always worth the additional time and hassle.
"I definitely don't purchase all of my books online because I have found that it isn't always worth the extra wait to save a little money, especially with novels and smaller books," Alix Toothman '08 said. "I started comparing prices online my sophomore fall when I was supposed to buy an econ book for around $100. I found it brand-new for about half that so I have continued to double-check ever since and I make a judgment call about whether the savings are worth the short delay and the shipping charges."
Alternatively, many Dartmouth students have found that the best way to cut textbook costs is to exchange textbooks with other students. The Basement, an online forum founded in 1998 by a team of Dartmouth students, streamlines this process through The Exchange. The site allows Dartmouth students to use online classifieds to re-sell used textbooks, as well as school supplies and dorm room staples, among other things.
"The Basement is trying to fill a niche that is distinct from the local bookstores and from maybe Amazon.com and mainly it is that you buy books off students," Leo Gong '08, who works on the website, said. "You don't have to pay for shipping and it's cheaper than Wheelock Books a lot of the time."
Another benefit of The Basement, according to Gong, is that it connects students with peers who have taken the class and gives them the opportunity to exchange notes and advice. "A lot of people stick with Wheelock Books because it is the first thing they hear and see when they come to campus. So I think sometimes The Basement is under-recognized."
Many professors, however, encourage students to buy the newest editions of textbooks to ensure that students have accurate information, as well as to maintain uniformity in a classroom.
"You can save a lot of money by buying older textbooks but you run the risk of not having the same problems in the back of the book or of having information that has not been updated," said Rob McClung, associate dean of faculty. "If you are going to get an up-to-date education, you need an up-to-date textbook."
