The Saint Rose Chronicle

Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News

Media Credit: www.media.collegepublisher.com A typical long line to purchase books.

Media Credit: www.greatoutdoornetwork.com Books stacked high.

Complaints about school bookstores are not uncommon and the College of Saint Rose's Bookstore in not all that different. The common complaints are not with major problems but a general dissatisfaction giving some students enough reason to look for books elsewhere.

Fortunately for those who work in the bookstore, there are not many complaints about customer service. The issues students have with the bookstore are mainly about the length of the lines and the expensive nature of their textbooks.

Senior English major, Katie Vermilyea described her experience throughout the years of buying books.

"The St. Rose bookstore experience has been mixed. My first semester of purchasing books I waited on the massive line with other customers due to the high traffic of the bookstore and little staff to man the registers," Vermilyea said.

Currently, aisles in the bookstore open a week before the semester starts, an option for those who live in the local area. Both local and non-local students can place their orders online through efollet.com usually two weeks before a semester starts, and have them packaged for students when they return to school, easily avoiding long lines.

Throughout the years, Vermilyea believes the store has improved in its efficiency. but notes there are still issues.

"As my time at St. Rose has progressed, I have seen the bookstore become more efficient. They have been posting the next semester's textbook lists online earlier with each year, making it easier for me to order my books through the E-Follet website. While this makes picking up my books easier, I've found that the limited selection and fixed prices of used textbooks as well as the expenses for new textbooks are somewhat outrageous," said Vermilyea.

Ryan Storms, a freshman biology major expressed a similar mixed opinion of the store.

"My experience with the St. Rose bookstore hasn't been bad, but it hasn't been perfect either. Books tend to run a little high, so I've recently resorted to getting my books off the internet. The positive of having the books you need in the bookstore are that you can get all the books you need here, the downside, they're kind of expensive," said Storms

The prices of books may depend on which class you are taking. For example, a student taking an English class may have each book only cost a few dollars used, however they may also have to buy multiple books for just one class. On the opposite end of the spectrum, a student taking a biology course might not have to buy as many books, but one book can cost at least a hundred dollars, even when the book has been previously used. The prices add up with students usually taking four to five classes a semester.

Not every student has had a problem with the bookstore. Some take the book buying process in stride.

"They've always had the books I need and are usually pretty expensive, but that's what you get for convenience. It's so easy to run into the campus book store and grab the book you need. Since I am a science major, I'm used to paying an arm and a leg for books anyways and the book store has usually been 30-50 dollars more expensive than online sites," Liz Papa, a senior biochemistry major, said.

Professors questioned did not have major problems with bookstore, and certain problems were noted as not being specific to the college.

"I haven't had any problems with the bookstore, and I haven't heard anything from my students about problems. The price of textbooks is a problem throughout higher education, not only at St. Rose. I don't actively recommend that students shop elsewhere for books- I assume that student word of mouth takes care of that," Dr. Jacqueline Smith, geology professor said.

One of the alternative places for students to buy books is Borders at Crossgates Mall in Guilderland. With College of Saint Rose ID, students can take the CDTA Route 10 bus for free from campus and back.

Another alternative, for those simply trying to escape long lines and possibly want to pick up environmentally friendly supplies, is Mary Jane's Books on Western Avenue, two blocks from campus. Students may be taking their chances as the store is catered toward universities like SUNY Albany and Hudson Valley Community College.

For some there is also the option of the Neil Hellman Library, which has it obvious advantages and disadvantages.

"I've borrowed textbooks through Inter-Library Loan. Students can request textbooks, though the only drawback is that the student will have to renew and possibly re-request the textbook if it is needed throughout the entire semester," said Vermilyea.

This not the only way Vermilyea has gotten her books. She, like others on campus, use the internet in their search for books with online stores such as Amazon.com or Powells.com.

"For the past two and a half years I have purchased textbooks through Amazon.com and through Barnes and Noble's website. Both experiences have been positive, as I have greater access to discounted new books as well as a larger selection of used textbooks with varying price ranges, instead of the fixed prices for new and used textbooks that the campus bookstore offers," Vermilyea said.

Vermilyea added that she is a part of Barnes and Noble's member program that charges her a $25.00 fee, but is balanced out by a 10% discount.

Daniel Farr, a sociology professor, mentions alternatives to his students but does not suggest one option over another.

"I don't particularly recommend ordering books elsewhere and I do not place book orders at other local venues like Mary Jane's. I do mention Half.com, Bookfinder.com, or Amazon.com on occasion to a student if they have concerns about cost, but I don't generally suggest it to the entire class, especially once a semester starts," said Farr.

Farr suggested that the problem of the long lines can easily be avoided by being well-prepared before the semester.

"I do sometimes try to tell students who I know I'll have in class the following semester 'Hey, if you want the name of the book early so you can order online, just let me know.' Though off-hand I recall very few students ever asking such info-though once in a while I get an ahead of time inquire for this purpose," said Farr.

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