“E-books have not grown as fast in the past years as most thought they would,” said Bernadette Chavira-Trull, senior associate director of books at the SUPe Store. “Most customers still prefer a printed book.”
Amanda Riley, manager of Tuscaloosa’s Off Campus Bookstore, estimated sales of hard-copy books outnumber e-books three to one. She said professors like to offer students an option, but classes are using e-books more frequently.
“I didn’t mind [e-books],” said Reagan Petty, a freshman majoring in art history. “But I prefer hard copies because I can navigate them better and flip pages.”
With hard copies, students can write on the pages, bookmark and highlight. Most e-books do not allow for such flexibility. However, some students find e-books are more convenient.
“I had a minor in history,” said Brandon Dooley, a senior majoring in business. “So you know with a lot of books, carrying those to class is a pain. E-books came in handy because I could just take a tablet or whatever and have all my stuff right there.”
Many students think e-books are cheaper, but Riley said students still have to buy the online access code either way, which can be expensive. She said students frequently have difficulty accessing the virtual content.
“It’s easier for us to sell textbooks because there are a lot of students that come in with their codes and have issues with their codes because on the publisher’s end, the technicality side of it, they haven’t worked it out,” she said.
While the popularity of e-books is still changing, both the SUPe Store and the Off Campus Bookstore will continue to stock both types of books. Many agree hard-copy books will never become obsolete.
“I think always having a hard copy is essential,” Dooley said. “If something goes wrong with the website or publishing online, having a hard copy – physical – is important.”
Students can purchase textbooks at the SUPe Store locations in the Ferguson Center, Tutwiler Hall, the School of Law and Bryant Museum or at the Off Campus Bookstore located on 14th Street.
