11 Things You Never Knew About Textbooks And Publishers

By Sarah Nolan on August 25, 2014

As fall semester kicks off for many students around the nation, there is one thing on everyone’s mind: when should I buy my textbooks?

Unfortunately necessary, textbooks prove a staple in the lives of college students. However, what you may not realize is there is more behind the process of creating and selling textbooks than you may have thought.

The Association of American Publishers compiled a list of 11 facts that you didn’t know about textbooks.

Professional publishers have much more to offer than your typical textbook: Over the past ten years publishers have continuously been enhancing the typical concept of the textbook through technological innovation and continuous content development. Some of these advancements include: digital and online textbooks, adaptive learning programs, downloadable single chapters, mobile apps, customizable textbooks and multiplatform supplemental resources.

A semester’s worth of course materials is available to students for as little as $33 a textbook: Publishers digitally license 90%+ of their titles for as much as 60% below a print textbook purchase. A fantastic deal for college students looking to make the most of their dollar.

Licensed content is another convenient budget-saving option: Beginning at just $1.99 students can also choose between black-and-white editions, downloaded self-print editions, or single online chapters.

CourseSmart offers 40,000 titles from 60 publishers: This digital rental service allows students to rent six textbooks per semester for, as previously noted, just $33 per book. CourseSmart was launched in 2007 by publishers. A great resource since it provides multiple formats as well for required reading assigned by university professors.

$500,000 to $3 million, 7000 hours of research and writing and 200+ scholars goes into the production of a new textbook: In order to get the best finished product, professional research along with countless hours of writing and editing is needed to produce and distribute the book. Not to mention, digital content can be even pricier and is expected to be as good as – or better than – the printed version.

Don’t believe in the notion that free textbooks exist … they don’t: Some companies actually offer one free online book license; however, the catch is that you would first have to buy the printed version and its accompanying material.

Meanwhile other companies offer will offer a free book at the expense of the client providing personal information that ultimately leads to theft. If you’re offered a free text book, it’s probably too good to be true.

Used rental books are actually contributing to the rising price of textbooks: Of course most students opt for the rental textbooks (I know I do). Surprisingly, publishers can only maintain a consistent rate by selling new materials in the marketplace. However, the rental market keeps old books circulating and makes it difficult for companies to sell new materials and keep the price from sky-rocketing.

The selling of course materials has been on a slow decline: According to the market researcher Student Monitor, the average 2013-2014 student spent $520 for their course materials, including print, eTextbooks, used books and rentals. That figure was $245 less than Spring 2010. Spending on eTextbooks and rentals plummeted -17% too.

Students with print disabilities DO have the same learning experiences as their peers: Publishers ensure that students with print disabilities are provided the same learning experience as their peers by building accessibility to their materials. In 2009 publishers co-founded AccessText Network. This database connects students and their campus DSS offices with accessible content.

Cost means nothing if you don’t pass and graduate: This should be obvious, but whether you opt for the rental textbook vs. the new textbook or print vs. digital, the money will all have been for nothing if you aren’t passing your courses. The money you spend on textbooks and the time you spend using them depends on how much you care. The textbooks pay off only if you give a conscious effort.

Print is not a dying field: Although publishers have made digital textbook options available to students, print is still in demand. That’s not to say that the digital content will not be the dominant choice for students in the future, but for now neither print nor digital have elbowed the other one out.

Courtesy of Yahoo Images  

 

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