USAO Bookstore rolls out rental program

As students prepare to return for classes at the University of Science and Arts on Aug. 29, they will have a new option waiting for them in the USAO Bookstore—the option to rent their textbooks for the trimester.

According to Sheila Guerrero, manger of the USAO Bookstore, the new rental program was created in response to changes in the economy and students’ needs.

“Texas Books recognizes the rising costs in higher education and is always seeking new ways to better meet the students’ needs, both academic and financial,” Guerrero said.

Texas Books has owned and operated the USAO Bookstore for more than eight years.

Under the new program, students will be able to save an average of 40% off of the cost of a new textbook. Students are required to register a credit card number in order to rent textbooks as well as fill out a short application.

“The savings in the rental program,” Guerrero said, “are moved from the back to the front end of the textbook purchasing transaction.

“Instead of receiving money at the end of the trimester by selling books back, students can take advantage of those savings up front.”

USAO student Andy Morphew, a senior communication major from Marlow, was excited by the idea of the textbook rental program.

“I always enjoyed that little extra bit of money coming at the end of the trimester from selling back books,” Morphew said. “The beginning of the term always involves a lot of expenses though so saving money up front sounds awesome to me.”

Textbook rentals have grown rapidly over the last few years, currently claiming more than 8% of the total textbook market. A recent study conducted by textbook vendor MBS Direct in conjunction with the website Xplana, found that 27% of respondents had rented one or more textbooks in the previous academic year.

"Helping students control the cost of their college education is a major goal for us," said Mike Coponiti, vice president for business and finance.  "We applaud the new program as another strategy to help students achieve their college education. This helps keep USAO listed among those colleges graduating students with least debt in US News."

Hollie Brumley, a freshman business major from Marlow, keeps the books that are related to her major but typically sells back the others.

“Every penny counts,” Brumley said, “and I would suggest rentals to someone who doesn’t want to keep their textbooks. People who are affected by the current economy would save a substantial amount.”

In addition to the textbook rental program, the USAO bookstore also has added a line of Hewlett-Packard laptops that can be purchased using financial aid vouchers.

More information about the bookstore and its new rental program can be found online at usaobookstore.com or by calling (405) 574-1304.