Rent-a-text catching on with Pima students

Students wait to pick up rental books at the West Campus bookstore. Aztec Press photo by Gabi Pina.

By Kyle Wasson

To combat the high cost of textbooks, Pima Community College bookstores have partnered with Follett Higher Education Group to offer “Rent-a-Text.”

By offering 50 percent or more off the cost of new textbooks, the rental option has instantly become an affordable alternative for PCC students.

PCC student Reba Lomelino took advantage of the new option. “I paid over $300 last semester for all of my books,” she said. “Today I walked away spending less than half.”

During a quick survey at Downtown Campus, 43 of 50 students said they took the rental route.

“Students can finally afford to buy all of their supplies and not worry about the burden of purchasing a textbook,” Downtown Campus Bookstore Manager Joshua Young said.

Since commencement of the rental program, the Downtown Campus bookstore has recorded more than $30,000 in savings, Young said. Savings rise to more than $200,000 when Northwest Campus and West Campus bookstores are included.

The “Rent-a-Text” program is available in campus bookstores or online. Students pick up the textbooks at the campus bookstore of their choice.

Students can use various payment methods ranging from cash to financial aid.

While using the rented textbooks, students can highlight and take notes “within the normal wear and tear associated with coursework.”

Students may also buy their textbooks at the end of the semester if they decide to keep them.

What’s the catch? Just as with movie rentals, there are fees for non-returned books. Potential costs include processing fees, late fees and purchase of the text if the book is not returned.

To learn more about the “Rent-a-Text” program, contact any PCC bookstore by phone or on the Web at www.pima.bkstr.com. You can also register online through Follett at efollett.com or at www.rent-a-text.com. Follett also has a Facebook page.

Students walk past signs advertising Rent-a-Text.com. Aztec Press photo by Ed Adams.