For the first time ever, Eastern Michigan University’s bookstore will be renting textbooks for the fall semester.

The program is called Rent-A-Text, and books are available for students to rent in the store and online. Students can save 50 percent or more by renting textbooks instead of buying them.

Kevin McKay, the store manager of EMU’s bookstore, said, “We expect to save students some serious money this term. Rent-A-Text makes course materials more affordable and offers benefits to students that no other rental provider – online or otherwise – can match.”

The bookstore’s renting services also offer same day delivery. This ensures a student will have the book the day the class starts. McKay also said their system offers “real-life usage.”

“Students have the freedom to highlight and take notes all within the normal wear and tear associated with coursework,” he said. “The Rent-A-Text also has the greatest number of payment options for a student at Eastern. Students can choose from a variety of ways to pay for their textbook rental, including financial aid and campus cards.”

Renters will also receive up front savings they can spend on other school supplies or course material they might need.

EMU students have differing opinions about whether they will take advantage of the bookstore’s new renting system.

Tabitha Peterson, a senior and criminal justice major, said, “I am glad that Eastern is finally renting text books. It is nice to have another option to buy cheap text books.”

La Shawna Mounts, a senior and psychology major, said she might check it out.

“It matters how cheap they make the books because they still have Ned’s and Mike’s to compete with, not to mention the Internet.”

Sierra Cummings, a sophomore, doesn’t think she will use the newly created program.

“I think I am still going to buy my books at the bookstore because then at least I get some money back at the end of the semester.”

According to McKay, Rent-A-Text was made available through EMU’s ongoing partnership with Follett Higher Education Group, one of the largest multi-channel textbook rental providers in North America.

“The program is based on the company’s comprehensive pilot that saved students nearly $6 million on their course materials in just two terms at 27 schools,” he said. “More than 90 percent of students who rented textbooks expressed satisfaction with the pilot program.”

Thomas A. Christopher, president of Follett Higher Education Group, said, “Satisfaction with our textbook rental program has lead to tremendous growth and savings projections for this term.”

“In fact, Follett-managed Rent-A-Text bookstores, including EMU Campus Bookstore, are expected to save more than $130 million in the 2010-2011 academic year alone,” McKay said.

For more information about EMU’s textbook rental program, visit www.emich.bkstr.com. Additional information about Follett’s Rent-A-Text program can be found at www.rent-a-text.com.