ECU student stores launches expanded textbook rental program

ECU student Vernon Garrett, an employee with Dowdy Student Stores, folds boxes used to hold student book orders. Approximately 1,800 to 2,500 orders are expected to be filled by the first day of classes Aug. 21.

East Carolina University’s Dowdy Student Stores is offering students significant cost savings on college textbooks this fall through an expanded textbook rental program.

Bryan Tuten, director of the Dowdy Student Stores, said a program for textbook rentals has been in place, but this year the bookstore has expanded its capacity from about 50 available titles to approximately 800 textbooks available for rental.

“We have been working to lower textbook costs to help make college more affordable for students and their families,” Tuten said. “We started with a guaranteed textbook buyback program which has evolved into a full-fledged rental program.”

He said renting textbooks could save as much as 80 percent off new textbook prices. “If a textbook is priced at $100 brand new, students might be able to rent it for as little as $20,” Tuten said.

The online component of the program should prove especially beneficial to distance education students, Tuten said, because the students can complete their textbook purchase online and have the order shipped to their homes without ever having to visit the store. Students who live near campus may still visit the store to rent their textbooks directly off the shelves. They might also request that an online order be held for pickup at the bookstore.

For additional information, visit www.studentstores.ecu.edu or contact Tuten at (252) 328-6731.