After I wrote last weeks article on the digital movement in the book world, I went and talked to 49er Shops to see what their thoughts were.
I was able to speak with Rosa Hernandez-Henderson, 49er Shops Communications Director regarding plans and students buying habits.
What I learned was that 49ershops is definitely prepared for the shift, but according to Rosa, the students are the ones whom are not yet ready.
With the digital textbooks partner, Jumpbooks.com being an option for students for two years now, it has grown, but not as much as expected. Rosa thinks students still like to be able to turn the page, and to write and highlight write on the book.
49er Shops has a 10 people staffed whom focus solely on ways to improve the Bookstore in order to give the students better and more options to purchase books.
Being a not for profit organization, 49er Shops is more interested in saving money for students rather than making money off of them. The digital books are half the cost for the average book and would be able to make textbooks much more affordable for students.
Proof of the students want for paperbacks was evident with the introduction of Chegg.com in the bookstore. Although Jumbooks.com continued to grow, Chegg.com definitely slowed it down and peaked students interest with its affordability, and ease of rental.
