Course Book Discount & Purchasing Tool: Background
Purchasing Tool
To address growing concerns regarding the affordability of course books, the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 requires colleges and universities to provide students with pricing and other information for required and recommended course books and related materials.
On September 1, 2011, Princeton introduced a new software tool that provides its students with even more purchasing information and functionality than is required under the act. The new software tool also enhances the process by which faculty members submit book orders and reading lists for their classes and seminars.
Discount Program
During a 2011-12 academic year pilot program, Princeton students are eligible to receive a 30 percent discount off the publisher's list price of all new and used course books sold at Labyrinth, regardless of whether they are purchased online or at the store.
Eligible students are able to pay for their course books at Labyrinth by using a student account, Paw Points, a credit card, a check or cash. Labyrinth staff will package all online book orders in advance and have them ready for express pickup at the store on Nassau Street. During the traditional buy-back period after courses have concluded, the amount offered to students for used books will be based on the book's higher list price, not the discounted price, resulting in additional savings.
The new software tool and the discount program are the result of a collaborative effort by the Office of the Dean of the College, University Services, Labyrinth Books, the Office of Information Technology and the Registrar's Office.