Textbooks

Make Textbooks Affordable

Every student knows that textbook prices are outrageous! Many books cost over $200 a piece and end up worth pennies by the end of the semester, often thanks to unnecessary new editions and pass-codes that expire. It's time for publishers to stop charging ridiculous prices and start taking advantage of today's technology to offer students a better deal. Our campaign is working to increase the use of "open textbooks," which are free online, free to share, and affordable in print -- the ideal publishing model to make textbooks affordable.

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Resource | Textbooks

A Cost Analysis of the Open Course Library

Washington State recently launched the Open Course Library, a collection of high-quality, low-cost educational materials for high-enrollment courses. According to this analysis, the textbook cost savings will exceed the cost of the program within one year and could rise as high as $41.6 million.

» Keep Readingabout A Cost Analysis of the Open Course Library

News Release | CALPIRG | Textbooks

‘Textbook Rebellion’ National Tour Visits UC Davis

Today, two larger-than-life textbook mascot characters joined forces with students at UC Davis to rally support for solutions to the rapidly rising cost of textbooks.

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Media Hit | Textbooks

Student group calls for alternatives to textbooks

Ask any college student or parent and they'll tell you textbooks these days are extremely expensive. 7 On Your Side takes a look at the movement to make them more affordable.

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UCI collects 75 petitions to make textbooks more affordable

Friday, September 23, 2011

Today, UCI hosted the Textbook Rebellion, a nationwide tour calling for cheaper textbook options.

'Textbook Rebellion' Launches Cross-Country Tour

The Textbook Rebellion kicked off a six-week, cross-country tour with events planned for 40 campuses nationwide. At the tour stop, the University of Maryland, coalition members, students, faculty and a representative from the U.S. Department of Education were joined by the tour mascots, 'Mr. $200 Textbook' and 'Textbook Rebel,' to announce the launch.

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Ripoff 101: Tips for Saving on Textbooks

Friday, August 26, 2011

By | Nicole Allen

Affordable Textbooks Advocate

It's been 8 years since we launched a campaign to make textbooks more affordable. I’m impressed by the progress we’ve made, but there’s still much work to be done.

It’s buying season though, so before I give the rundown on the campaign, check out the NYT’s Guide to Finding Cheap Textbooks.

A Cover to Cover Solution

The Student PIRGs conducted this study to evaluate options from the traditional textbook market - rentals, e-books and e-readers - and open textbooks as potential next steps to reduce the high cost of textbooks. The report finds that student preferences vary widely, and that options like rentals and e-books only appeal to a subset of students. Open textbooks have the highest potential as a solution because they can meet the needs of all students.

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News Release | Textbooks

New Laws, Free Books and Textbook Rentals Could Help Curb Rising Costs This Fall

BOSTON, Mass. (August 26, 2010) — Students across the country are gearing up for sticker shock over textbook prices this semester. The average student spends $900 per year on textbooks, and new calculations by CALPIRG Students show that costs have increased at an astounding rate: textbook wholesale prices have risen more than four times the rate of inflation over the last two decades (1990-2009).

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News Release | Textbooks

New Federal Law Will Curb Skyrocketing Textbook Costs

A groundbreaking federal law designed to tackle the rapidly rising cost of textbooks has kicked in just in time to impact college students this fall. The law, which was part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) passed by Congress in 2008, is considered the first major federal action on this issue.

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Hunger and Homelessness

The Hunger and Homelessness Campaign makes meals at the Ocean Park Community Center with food they gathered at a donation drive earlier in the week.
CALPIRG interns after making meals at the Ocean Park Community Center.
This Halloween, the Hunger and Homelessness Campaign collected over 150 canned food items for local food banks during their Trick-Or-Can event.
UC Davis students kick off a TEXT-2-GIVE table for Somalia Famine Relief on the quad – our efforts statewide raised thousands of dollars for famine relief.
he Improv Group at UCR came to our Open Mic Night to fundraise for the famine in Somalia.
The UC Davis Hunger and Homelessness campaign raised hundreds of dollars for famine relief in Somalia.
Hunger and Homelessness intern Roua Aboukhadijeh collecting interview footage on campus for a short film on poverty.
Volunteers make props for upcoming hunger and homelessness events.
The Hunger and Homelessness campaign tabling at the Davis Farmer's Market for the Davis Empowerment Project to help reintegrate the homeless back into the workforce.
CALPIRG volunteers handing out homemade lunches to those in need.