Earlier this month the University Students’ Council announced the Used Book Store will cease operations and the bookstore at Western will assume responsibility for all used book sales. As of June, Western will take over the UBS space and operations. What effect, if any, will the disappearance of this USC-run operation have on students?

While many students have used the Used Book Store during their time at Western it’s unclear whether the operation was successful. Most students were able to buy the books they need at a fraction of the cost of the Western Book Store, but the profit from selling books on consignment left some students unsatisfied.

Instead, students frequently turn to selling their books directly to another student taking the same course. This, however, isn’t always possible due to new editions of textbooks being published each year, making the old ones obsolete. As an alternative, students seem to turn to the UWO Book Store and the UBS to buy and sell books because they’re unaware of any options outside of Western.

With the closing of the UBS, students may need to seek out other methods, such as using Amazon or venturing to bookstores downtown, where there are a variety of cheaper options. However, convenience will ultimately keep students using the UWO Book Store despite the high cost and minimal return.

There is some apprehension that with Western taking over the bookstore, its goal as an operation will be for profit – the opposite of the supposed mandate of USC owned facilities. It’s worth noting much of the UWO Book Store’s profits come from Western merchandise, not books.

Maybe the change in ownership will in fact have a positive effect on the business. The UBS has used the same failing business model for a number of years now and a change might mean better management and a tighter ship.

Either store could improve when it comes to selling back books. They reject books that are older editions. Any accepted textbooks are usually among dozens of the same book and risk not being resold at all. Both bookstores should accept used books as part of recycling program. Many students are looking to get books off their hands, even if they’re not paid.

Nonetheless there is a bit of a mourning period in hearing the USC will no longer play a part in used book sales.  It was comforting to know there was a bookstore that promised to help students instead of profit from them.