Textbook information has been offered for over two years on Varney's Web site, but a new system will offer links on K-State's course catalog directing students to the information, rather than scrolling through lists of classes to find the textbooks.

Varney's Book Store, the K-State Student Union Bookstore, and the KSU-Salina Bookstore have teamed up with the Information Technology Assistance Center in this project to make textbook information more accessible to students.

Dalton Henry, student body president and senior in agricultural communication and journalism, said he believed students should have no trouble finding their required materials with the new system in place, either while browsing the course catalog or when meeting with their advisers.

The new system requires that faculty turn in textbook information sooner than they used to, which Henry said may be a slight burden to them, but is necessary to work together for the benefit of the faculty, students and the book stores.

"The accuracy of the textbook list will be key to whether this works or not," Henry said.

Rebecca Gould, director of ITAC, said the textbook list was in accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, which ensures students have access to affordable textbooks and supplemental material.

The act was signed into law in August of 2008 with the purpose to make college education more affordable for students. Making textbook information and prices available to students before the beginning of the semester gives students more time to seek cheaper alternatives and plan their budget.

Steve Levin, co-owner of Varney's Book Store, said Varney's has been providing textbook information to students for over two years before the law was passed because of requests from students and because they had heard a few other universities in the country were beginning to have similar programs.

"We're always going to try to be ahead of the curve instead of behind the curve," said Levin.

He said both the provost and Varney's sent out e-mails last week to K-State faculty stating they were ready to receive textbook information for the Fall 2010 semester, and faculty should send that information in as quickly as possible. Levin said they have already received a lot of textbook information and they hope to begin posting it on the Web site within the next week.

"The goal is to get the information to the students the quickest way, the easiest way," he said.

Levin said giving students advance notice on what materials will be needed for classes next semester gives them time to make purchasing decisions that are right for them, whether that includes a new book, used book, rental, Jumpbook, or checking with alternative stores and Web sites to see if another alternative is available.