Recently John Hechinger of The Wall Street Journal reported on a growing trend in the Textbook Industry: Custom Textbooks.\u00c2\u00a0 For those unaware let me take some time to explain.\u00c2\u00a0 A custom textbook is one that is published specifically for one school and one school only.\u00c2\u00a0 Often, these custom texts are published annually or even semi-annually every semester, and they are usually required reading.<\/p>\n
According to the WSJ, a typical custom book would be used in a Freshman English Course.\u00c2\u00a0 Acme University will require all incoming freshman to enroll in this English Course and purchase the Acme Version of \u00e2\u20ac\u02dcA Writer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Reference\u00e2\u20ac\u2122.\u00c2\u00a0 The only difference between the standard Writers Reference by Dana Hacker that most schools use and Acme\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s is the cost, the Acme name across the front, and an extra 30 pages detailing Acme U\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s writing program.\u00c2\u00a0 Oh, and it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s nearly impossible to buy a used version because the notice on the back cover reads \u00e2\u20ac\u0153This book may not be bought or sold used.”<\/p>\n
For those students who are pinching pennies and relying on their end of semester textbook sales to fund their next semester\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s textbook purchases this can be a real problem.\u00c2\u00a0 Unlike other textbooks that are no longer being used, custom textbooks cannot be sold to other campuses due to their custom nature.\u00c2\u00a0 So, what can you do?<\/p>\n
First, when you are purchasing your books be aware of custom texts.\u00c2\u00a0 They are fairly easy to spot and have a few tell-tale markers.\u00c2\u00a0 They will usually be spiral bound to cut costs, and they will almost always have the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name, Department, or Professor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s name across the front cover.\u00c2\u00a0 Second, talk to your professors.\u00c2\u00a0 Find out what you can about the new custom text, i.e. what makes it custom.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes the only difference is the front and back cover.\u00c2\u00a0 Or, if there is additional text included, you might discover that text is downloadable for free through the University\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s website.\u00c2\u00a0 Knowing this little bit of information might save you some money.\u00c2\u00a0 In addition, it is always in your best interest to introduce yourself to your professors.<\/p>\n
By: Dan Russell<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Recently John Hechinger of The Wall Street Journal reported on a growing trend in the Textbook Industry: Custom Textbooks.\u00c2\u00a0 For those unaware let me take some time to explain.\u00c2\u00a0 A custom textbook is one that is published specifically for one school and one school only.\u00c2\u00a0 Often, these custom texts are published annually or even semi-annually […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"amp_status":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n