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In my own experience, I've seen students advertising for a long list of textbooks they will need for upcoming classes. They simply supply a phone number or email address to be contacted. If they are successful, they will have saved hundreds of dollars on the cost of textbooks.

This author was amazed to realize the high cost of books for university. In my many years of study, I've only had one textbook that cost under $100 - most are around $150. Used books may be the way to go for higher education classes, but even as I type that, I realize many students like me want to hold onto their books to refer to later. How would it be possible to recycle enough textbooks for everyone? Those studying on campus could possibly recycle books through the school, not buying them and not keeping them, just like in grade school. This may work out fine. Students could have the option of buying a book or simply using one of the school's books, turning it in on a scheduled day at the end of the class. It would be a matter of choice for the student.

Beyond the question of used textbooks as a way to save money, it is also possible for the publisher to cut the cost of manufacturing by using recycled materials, putting the book in a paperback version instead of hardback, and keeping production and distribution costs to a minimum. Publishers could help lower the cost of textbooks at the manufacturing end. Higher education is exorbitant in all areas, even before considering the price of books. Producing lower-cost books and supplying used textbooks for students are a couple of the ways costs could be more efficiently managed.

Learn more about this author, G. Allendorfer Anderson, PhD.
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