University of Toronto Bookstore Pilots Textbook Rental Program to Save
Student's Money

The UofTBookstore has launched a pilot textbook rental program during the May term alongside its used textbook and new textbook offerings to provide students with more choice and another way to save money.

TORONTO, May 13 /CNW/ - In an effort to help save student's money, University of Toronto Bookstore is one of the first Canadian Universities piloting a textbook rental program this Summer term. A comprehensive U of T Bookstore survey shows that the majority of U of T students would like the option to be able to rent their textbooks.

A survey of U of T students and faculty survey, commissioned by the Bookstore in September 2010, shows 66% of students are interested in renting textbooks. "The one theme that continues through all of our student survey results is that students want better value. We are taking many steps to respond to their concerns, such as offering rental books and providing significantly more used books," says U of T Bookstore VP Retail, Chad Saunders.

A number of American colleges and universities currently rent textbooks; however, Canada has been slow to adopt this method of serving students. Saunders says, "We have researched what students don't like about rental book programs in the US and found that they don't want the long delays in shipping and they do want books in new condition. Some programs also require a professor to use the same title in three or more terms which in some cases forces students to learn from dated content."

The U of T Bookstore rental books will be ordered on line and picked up in the store, saving shipping costs and avoiding delays. For the pilot, the titles will rent for about 40% off the new purchase price and the books will be 100% brand new. The Bookstore also are planning that the same title will only need to be used for one term by an instructor which ensures they can use whatever book is more current.

The pilot launched with five titles in May across the three campuses at the U of T. Saunders says, "Listening to our students is very important to us. We're really excited to see the results from this test and hope to expand our rental books program further in the fall when the enrollment is much higher."

For more information please contact: Ceri Nelmes or visit www.uoftbookstore.com.

About The University of Toronto Bookstore:

The University of Toronto Bookstore was established in 1897 on the St. George Campus, Downtown Toronto. The Bookstore now has locations at U of T Mississauga, U of T Scarborough and computer stores at each campus, plus a Varsity Sports Store and two convenience stores, called Campus Xpress. The University of Toronto Bookstore is a division of the University of Toronto Press. For more information see www.uoftbookstore.com

For further information: Ceri Nelmes, Sr. Manager, Marketing & eCommerce, University of Toronto Bookstore, 214 College St., Toronto, ON, M5T 3A1, [phone], [email protected]