4C Monday, August 19, 1996 CAMPUS UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN Book buyers have choices Prices,perks differentiate local stores By Pete Brumbaugh Kansan staff writer The secret to finding the best deals on textbooks this fall is knowing where to look. Bookstores in Lawrence compete for students' business, and good deal can be found. The KU Bookstore, located on the second level of the Kansas Union, has a wide selection of books. Operated by the University, the bookstore is required to carry books for every class listed in the timetable, said Mike Reid, manager of the KU Bookstore. "We're celebrating our 50th year in operation, and we have increased our volume and sales almost every year," Reid said. Jayhawk Bookstore, 1420 Crescent Road may be more convenient for some students. The store, which opened in1978, is around the corner from many Greek houses and a short walk from the residence halls. It also offers free parking. Bill Muggy, owner and general manager of Jayhawk Bookstore, said, "We have survived because we have developed a good relationship with our customers. They like the alternatives, the location, the convenience and the competitive prices we provide." For students living on Daisy Hill, the KU Bookstore in the Burge Union is the closest textbook store. Architecture or design students may go there because it's the only bookstore on campus offering a blueprinting service. Some students might want to take advantage of the University Book Shop's off-campus location at 1116 W. 23rd St., across the street from Dillons. The store opened in August 1992 and free parking. Mike Lammers, store manager of University Book Shop, said the store was fairly generic as bookstore go, making in-and-out shopping easy. "We want to make buying books as painless as possible." Lammers said. Getting the best value in used books may require comparing prices at all four bookstores. Each store has its own niche. Reid said the KU Bookstore specialized in volume. Muggy said the Jayhawk Bookstore offered competitive prices. The University Book Shop, Book-buying tips When students set out to find the best textbook deals, the following tips could be helpful: The best way to deal with sticker shock is to take advantage of used books, which retail at 25 percent below new-book cost. Sell them back at the end of the semester if you don't want to keep them. Don't buy a recommended or optional book unless the instructor is using content from it in class lectures. Students shouldn't write in a new book until they're sure they will stay in the class. Once the book has been written in, the book is considered used and the value drops dramatically. - Keep your receipts and read the store's refund/return policy. Returning or exchanging books usually requires a receipt, and stores have limits on how long students have to return books for a full refund. Shop early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Also, shop on weekends to beat the crowds. Take advantage of textbook preordering. It cuts down on shopping time and the hassle of waiting in long lines. - Put identifiers inside the book, other than the inside cover. For instance, students can write KUID number on a page in the middle of the book. This helps identify the book if someone steals it and tries to resell it. owned by the Nebraska Book Co., provides the largest percentage of used books in stock, Lammers said. Each store offers bonuses. The KU Bookstore offers student rebates of up to 7 percent for customers who pay with cash or check. The Jayhawk Bookstore gives away free movie passes, pre-paid long distance cards and T-shirts for any single purchase exceeding $200. The University Book Shop gives away coupons for free food at local restaurants with any book purchase. No computer? You have options Students can use on-campus labs By Tracey Cluthe Kansan staff writer College students have nightmares about this sort of thing. A paper worth 25 percent of a student's grade is due tomorrow. But the student hasn't started typing, and doesn't own a computer. Grudgingly, he or she go to the Computer Center only to find 100 people waiting to use the computers. It's 8 p.m. The student figures that there still is plenty of time because the class isn't until 8:30 a.m. So he or she waits for a computer. At 12:30 a.m., the student still is waiting. It's time to think of plan B. What is a student to do? "I usually go to the labs in Fraser or Strong Hall," said Russell McGuire, Burkburnett, Texas, senior. "The labs are smaller, but many people forget about them so there usually is an open computer." The labs in 122 and 123 Fraser Hall are two computer labs that students can use for their coursework. The University has eight computer labs open to all students. The lab in 17 Strong Hall is open 24 hours. Sarah Higgins, Westchester, Ill. senior, said the panic of trying to finish a paper at the last minute made her forget about the lesser-known labs. "There are so many times I have a project to finish in the middle of the night. I either end up going to the Computer Center or to Kinko's," Higgins said. "I forget about the other labs that are open really late. I just don't hear about them." Watson Library has a computer lab with 10 computers. Students can use the center during library hours unless there is a scheduled library demonstration, said Doxie Larsen, circulation desk supervisor at Watson. "The lab is always pretty busy, especially towards the end of a semester," Larsen said. "Normally, students wait about 15 minutes before getting an open computer. People use it for e-mail and the Internet." Students enrolled in certain schools or departments can go to labs open only to its students. Law students can use computers in rooms 306B, 306C and 306D Green Hall. The labs' hours are 7:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday. Geology students can use computers in 31 Lindley Hall, and engineering students can use computers in 3001A, 3042, 1036 and 1037 in Learned Hall. Labs in these buildings are open 24 hours a day. Students living in residence halls have access to computers in Ellsworth Computer Lab, said Stacey Schmitz, senior staff assistant at the lab. "We're open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. everyday," Schmitz said. "Students have to show us their ID, and if they are a resident, they can stay as long as they need to." Gertrude Sellards Pearson-Corbin Hall, Lewis Hall and Templin Hall each have computers in their resource centers that are available to students. Lab Hours vary from hall to hall, but students can call the front desk to find out the hours. The Computer Center, on Sunnyside Avenue, is open 24 hours a day and is staffed from 7 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The Computer Center offers more computer programs than any of the centers and is open to all students. KU Info has the hours for all of the labs on campus. Students who need assistance should call to find out where computer they need are located. "It is good to know that there are so many places to go if I get in a bind," McGuire said. Little-known computer labs Aside from the Computer Center, several lesser-known labs are spread across campus. These labs are open to all KU students. Fraser Hall Room 122 open 24 hours Room 123 Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Robinson Center Room 1:30 Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, 8:30 to 5 p.m. Strong Hall Room 17 open 24 hours - Watson Library Clark Lab, third floor Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to midnight Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, noon to midnight A view from above Ryan Hasler/KANSAN From the seventh floor of Frasier Hall, Lippincott Hall and the Natural History Museum are in the foreground. In the distance, the Campanile and Memorial Stadium can be seen. Jayhawk Boulevard is not the only road through campus... 1601 West 23rd Lawrence,KS 842-6363 This summer, turn grass into asphalt bushes into hurtles and still get to class on time! CYCLE WORKS - Mary EngelbreitItems Welcome Back, KU! - Yankee Candles - Aromatique Home Fragrances - Baldwin Brass - T-shirts - Department 56 Lit Houses CYCLING AND FITNESS - German Nutcrackers - Fabric - Frames Holiday Open House November 3,1996 Professional Help 926 Massachusetts 12-5 p.m. Mail Orders Welcome 913-842-1101 Mon.-Sat. 10-5:30, Thurs. til8 pm, Sun. 1-4pm Q: LAWRENCE'S BEST KEPT SECRET? *It's "Willie," by the way. Till late into the night, every night, we answer questions about anything from academic policy to campus activities to Gilligan's first name.* Find out why we get calls around the clock from Europe to Eudora! A: KU INFO at 864-3506 864-3506 KU INFO Call Us First. http://www.ukans.edu/~kuinfo Futon Covers ... $ 39^{95} $ Daybeds . . . . . . $^{99}^{95}$ Waterbed Conditioner Buy 1 Get One Free Queen Waveless Waterbed Mattress ...$89^{95}$