Rowan Bookstore to begin textbook rental program this fall

Beginning this fall, the Rowan University Bookstore will offer a new, multi-channel textbook rental program.

The program will allow students to rent their textbooks for less than 50 percent of the cost of purchasing a new printed textbook, according to Paul Maloney, vice president at Barnes & Noble College Booksellers.

Students will be able to rent their books either in the store or from the store's website, www.rowanbookstore.bncollege.com.

The decision to offer a textbook rental program was a joint decision made by Rowan and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, according to Maloney.

"We are committed to providing students with the widest range of content options and price points available," says Maloney. "Whether students are interested in new books, used, digital, unbundled or now rentals, they know they can find what they want at the Rowan bookstore."

The rental program will assist students who don't wish to pay the full price to purchase books. The program also likely will make the bookstore a competitive option for books for students looking to save money on books for their classes. Many of those students currently go online seeking the best deals.

Rowan Vice President for Student Affairs Carmen Jordan-Cox says the rental program will be a valuable asset for students.

"Students are very conscious about the cost of textbooks and this program certainly will give them a viable, on-campus option to secure the materials they need to achieve academic success," says Jordan-Cox.

According to Maloney, features of the program include:

-       Students can pay the rental fees using any form of tender currently accepted by the bookstore-including student financial aid and campus debit cards (For security purposes, a valid credit card must also be provided regardless of tender used for the rental fee).

-       Students can highlight or mark the rented books just as they would if they purchased a book and planned to sell it back to the bookstore.

-       Students can convert their rental to a purchase during the first two weeks of class.

-       The rental period is for the duration of the term/semester. Books are due back at the bookstore no later than 10 days after the last day of finals. Students can return the books in person or mail them to the bookstore.

-       Courtesy emails will go out as the end of the term/semester approaches reminding students to return their books. Books not returned-or returned in unusable condition-will be subject to replacement and processing fees.

According to Maloney, Barnes & Noble began piloting the rental program earlier this year at 25 campus bookstores across the country.

For information about the program, visit www.rowanbookstore.bncollege.com.

A new, 36,000-square-foot Barnes & Noble Collegiate Superstore is expected to open on Rowan Boulevard in November. The bookstore will offer more than 75,000 volumes and will include a Rowan University textbook section, a Varsity Spirit Shop, and an indoor/outdoor Starbucks café.