The North Central College bookstore dates back to before its first mention in the Chronicle on April 1, 1874. That’s over 144 years of service and the most convenient way for students to get coursework material.
However, starting fall 2018, there will be no more just walking in and picking up books. After a long discussion and switching of partnership service to Akademos, who serves more than 120 schools and has provided students with many low-cost textbook options, the RFP Evaluation Team decided it was time for a change.
The way it will work is the bookstore itself will no longer carry books; instead, you will have to order your books online and they will be mailed to you. Some likely effects include more variety of books, lower cost for your books, and ordering all books at the same time.
There may be some downsides, though, like the chance that your books don’t get to you on time and potential overdraft fees if you don’t know how to send back books. The bookstore will also have to adjust to the newfound space that will be available in the building for their stock of North Central apparel.
First-year North Central student Arianna Jones, ’21, said she is fine with this decision: “I barely used the bookstore this year so I’m not bothered… changes could make it a better store.”
Some feel that could the closure of the brick and mortar shop could have a negative effect. “More work to get books which makes it more difficult, and what if they end up not having the book I need,” said Emma Schwarz, ’21.
“The beginning of the year will be easy but not in between,” she said, meaning you will have time to get your books for the fall but there’s not a lot of time in between terms for books to arrive. If you don’t have a plan, now is the time to make one. Don’t let this change affect your classes, GPA or your life.
