York renting textbooks

The York University Bookstore has joined a growing number of post-secondary retailers who are renting textbooks. Beginning this month, students can rent books for a period of up to 125 days, saving up to 75 per cent off the retail price. Bookstore director, Steven Glassman, said in the Excalibur that it wasn’t a business decision. "It was more of a decision that we have to serve our students," he said. Darshika Selvasivam, a vice-president for the York Federation of Students said the program could put poorer students at a disadvantage. "It may reduce costs, but this doesn’t address the larger issue of affordability . . . Essentially, students don’t get to own the books," she said.