Beginning in spring semester 2011, the UALR/Barnes & Noble Bookstore will launch a new textbook rental program designed to give students a budget break.

The innovative textbook rental program will allow students to rent their textbooks for less than 50 percent of the cost of purchasing a new printed textbook. As an added convenience, students will be able to rent their books either in the store or from the store’s website.

This decision to offer a textbook rental program was a joint decision made by UALR and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers.

“We are thrilled to offer this program to our students,” said Brenda Thomas, UALR bookstore manager. “Whether students are interested in new books, used, digital, unbundled, or now rentals, they know they can find what they want at the UALR bookstore. This service will have a big impact on UALR students not only because of the savings, but also because it is so convenient and easy to use.”

Other features of the new program include:

• Students can pay the rental fees using any form of payment currently accepted by the bookstore.
• For security purposes, a valid credit card must also be provided regardless of the payment used for the rental fee.
• Students can highlight or mark the rented books just as they would if they purchased a book.

The rental period is for the duration of the term or semester. Books must be returned to the bookstore no later than 10 days after the last day of finals. Courtesy emails will go out as the end of the term or semester approaches reminding students of the return deadline. Books not returned – or returned in unusable condition – will be subject to replacement and processing fees which will be charged against their credit card.

Barnes & Noble began testing the new program earlier this year at 25 campus bookstores across the country. More than 90 percent of the students participating in the pilot campuses said they would rent from their campus bookstore in the future.

More details about the new rental program will be available in November and December. Visit the UALR Bookstore, located on the lower level of the Donaghey Student Center, for details.