Amber Brockman, Executive Editor December 8, 2021

Due to the disruption of the global supply chain, publishers have been in contact with bookstores to warn of possible shortages in the spring semester.

"From labor shortages to transportation delays to raw material shortages, the supply chain everywhere is affected," said Nikki Stoll Olthoff, Assistant Director and Course Materials Manager of University Books & More. "The paper industry and publishing industry are no exception. There is a shortage of wood pulp used for papermaking, a shortage of ink used to print pages, a lack of operable printing presses and employees who operate them, and a lack of truck drivers to transport products from point A to point A. And transport labor. Point B."

Thomas Wolf, director of University Books & More, said that they have been monitoring the supply chain and have found problems with the supply of clothing, gifts and consumables in their convenience stores.

Wolfe said: "In order to alleviate the textbook situation, we contacted the faculty and administrative department and urged them to submit the required textbooks and supply orders earlier and as soon as possible than normal." "As a bookstore, we receive faculty and staff Before the official orders of the workers and academic staff, our hands were helpless. This is the first step."

Wolf said that when they received these book requests, they immediately began to purchase copies.

"For printed materials, we always try to purchase used copies first to save students money," he said. "Then we will purchase new products from the publisher to meet any remaining demand."

Wolf said that they are also in a better position because they work with e-book providers to provide e-books for many courses.

"Students can purchase these e-books directly through our website, and they can charge their student accounts as if they were buying regular printed books," he said. "This allows students to also take advantage of their financial aid on digital [books]."

Stoll Olthoff said that, like all other industries, low supply and high demand will eventually lead to higher prices.

She said that the difference in the textbook industry is that publishers determine the price of books, whether they are printed or digital.

"Compared with other consumer products, the profit margin of course materials is very low," she said. "Because University Books & More is owned and operated by institutions (rather than lease operators like Barnes & Noble or Follett), we have more control over profits and will continue to lower prices for our students as much as possible. "

University Books & More spring book orders arrive every day, and Stoll Olthoff said that so far, publishers’ pricing has been fairly stable.

"In recent years, the average semester expenditure of students on course materials has actually been declining," Stolortf said. "This is partly due to the increased use and usability of e-books."

Stoll Olthoff said that current supply chain issues will not necessarily change the content assigned by teachers, and teachers who have been using courseware and access codes will continue to use them.

"In the past few years, more and more teachers have chosen to distribute digital materials such as courseware and access codes, but this usage has been on the rise long before the pandemic," says Stololthof. "If anything, we have noticed that more teachers have made it clear that they will allow students to use e-books outside of print."

In addition, Wolf said that they began to notify the dean and contact faculty and academic staff in mid-October because there may be shortages and the need to adopt spring course materials as soon as possible.

Course materials for the spring semester will be available for purchase in the University Books & More store and online from January 10th.

"Our advice to students is to order their course materials as early as possible to get the best choice, especially if they prefer printing," Stoll Olthoff said.

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