The long summer months are steadily coming to a close, and it's now time to hit the books. That means students have been packing the campus bookstores in search of a bargain, and freshmen braving the bookstores for the first time are learning the value of college textbooks.

This fall, University of Arizona students taking general education classes are spending an average of $40 per textbook, said Frank Farias, director of the UA Associated Students Bookstores. Those studying engineering and psychology can expect to pay as mu ch as $100 for one book.

"I spent $123 on books for half of my classes, and I still expect to pay more," said Alicia Benitez, undeclared freshman.

Returning students are back to the same routine and tend to consider textbook spending a necessity.

Melissa Peterson, a language, reading and culture graduate student, said there has not been a noticeable price increase.

"The prices of textbooks this year do not seem to be more expensive than previous years," Peterson said.

Farias said UA students are paying up to 2 percent less for their textbooks as compared with the national average.

According to the National Association of College Bookstores, the UA Associated Students Bookstore is the 18th largest in the nation.

The ASUA bookstores give $300,000 of their profits to the Associated Students, Farias said.

The ASUA bookstores include the main ASUA Bookstore, the Computing and Technology Store, the Medical Bookstore, Wildcat Gifts Etc., McKale Sports Stop, Campus Community Service Center, Sierra Vista Bookstore and the new Arizona International Campus store that opened Monday.

To avoid standing in long check-out lines during the first weeks of school, the ASUA Bookstore offers a pre-order service that allows participants to call in advance, electronically order books, or fill out a request form located in the store.

Barb Moeller, language, reading and culture graduate student, said, "I shop on campus because I always know my books will be in stock."

Students can also find textbooks off campus.

The Arizona Book Store, 815 N. Park Ave., near the UA Main Gate, specializes in the sale of used books.

Advantages in shopping for used textbooks and school merchandise off campus include closer parking and prices that are typically 25 cents lower than on campus, said Mabel Sanchez, nursing junior and Arizona Book Store employee.

Sanchez said she believes that since its opening in 1956, the store has been very family oriented.

"Parents who used to shop at Arizona Book Store are now bringing in their own UA students to purchase textbooks," she said.

Sanchez added, "Arizona Book Store allows students to explore the city around campus and become familiar with other off-campus restaurants and locations."

The last day to return purchased books with a receipt for a full refund at both Arizona Book Store and ASUA Bookstore is Sept. 20.

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