The fact that college textbooks are expensive is no secret.  In fact, it is quite well documented.  Every semester, students at colleges across the country walk out of college bookstores with a stack of textbooks, having left a stack of money behind.  Judy Meyering, Willmar campus bookstore manager estimates that an average full-time student may be spending up to $500 per semester on books.

Beginning this fall, students at Ridgewater’s campuses in Willmar and Hutchinson will have a new option – texbook rentals.  Choices of available books to rent will be limited, as the campus bookstores want to give it a trial run.  Meyering is planning to offer around 25 common titles (courses) for fall, mainly in liberal arts/general education courses.  The number will likely be similar at the Hutchinson bookstore. 

If all goes as well as planned, the number of available rentals could increase greatly moving forward.

What’s the benefit of renting a textbook?  A savings to students of nearly 50%.  Renting a textbook costs about half of the purchase price of a new book, provided it is well cared for and returned on time at the end of the semester.  Judging by the lines at the book buy back events at the end of each semester, it seems unlikely that many students are planning to keep their textbooks anyway.

Of course, there are some exceptions, but not many.  Books that get used for more than one semester are not available via rental.  While not common, there are a handful of math and science courses that fall into this category.  Also, consumable books are not included (e.g., spiral-bound books or workbooks).  Books must also be available as a rental by the college’s supplier.  Considering that they have over 35,000 titles available to rent, college officials are hoping that won’t be too big an issue.

So, if you or someone you know is planning on taking some classes at Ridgewater next semester, look into the possibility of renting your textbooks.  It could save you hundreds of dollars!