As students routinely spend hundreds of dollars on textbooks each semester, some members of the University community have made efforts to make books more affordable.
In response to an expanding market, the University bookstore has ordered a greater quantity of used books than it has in the past.
"We are trying to get as many used books as we can," said Jon Kates, executive director of the University Bookstore and Cavalier Computers. "We continue to see growth in the area of used books."
Students expressed various reasons for purchasing used books.
"I buy used books from the bookstore because it is more cost efficient and because most of the books are in practically mint condition," said first-year College student Nathaniel Stone. "When you have to juggle your class schedule, it is easier to return and get new books in person than to have to deal with shipping."
According to Kates, the University bookstore offers textbooks at similar or even lower prices than some popular online stores.
He added that book swaps, although good in theory, can be difficult to maintain because of the level of coordination they require. Book swaps consist of student-run book exchanges, which eliminate common middlemen.
Despite the failures of past book swaps at the University, James Weber, a second-year College student, launched the Web site HooHasIt.com Jan. 10.
Wanting both to help students find what they need and improve his Web-designing skills, Weber planned on releasing HooHasIt.com last fall but waited until this semester after marketing the site, mostly with flyers.
"I decided that I would start a book swap to help students conveniently exchange used books," Weber said.
While student book swaps, such as Student Council's Hoohock, have been instituted in the past, they have generally been met with very limited success.
According to Weber, HooHasIt.com is designed to be more user-friendly, featuring a better-organized list of available books and comprehensive search capabilities.
Web site users can post events, sell and purchase an array of goods and arrange rides to different locations throughout Virginia.
Thus far, HooHasIt.com boasts approximately 300 registered members, 120 of whom have contacted each other through the site. Currently, more than 350 used books and a number of products ranging from bikes to electronics are available for purchase.
Weber said he looks forward to improving and expanding the site with the support of student organizations, particularly Council.
"I think that working with the Student Council and the Student Activities Center will really help get the word out," Weber said. "I really want this to be something that lasts."
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