The expanded textbook rental program was discussed in length at Wednesday’s Associated Students of the University of Arizona meeting.

Frank Farias, assistant vice president of student affairs and executive director of UofA Bookstores, addressed ASUA leadership alongside Cindy Hawk, associate director of UofA Bookstores, to draw attention to the progress of the program.

“”We’re still continuing to evolve and improve the program,”” Farias said.

The textbook rental program provides students with new or slightly used books at 40 percent of the original cost. There is no return value from renting textbooks but students and parents save money in the process, according to Hawk.

Farias and Hawk initiated the program to give students more options and to provide more opportunities to get the materials they need for as little money as possible.

“”We’re continually looking for ways to reduce the cost,”” Farias said.

Farias and Hawk are also looking for ways to better the program in hopes of attracting more students. When Hawk asked senators for a show of hands of those who had used the program this semester, no one raised their hand.

“”I find it odd that nobody took advantage of it,”” Hawk said.

Farias hopes to apply for grants and find other external revenue sources that would allow him to take the program further. Currently, reading materials with looseleaf papers bound together, similar to Class Notes, are not available for rent, according to Hawk. 

Farias and Hawk are looking for ways to improve and expand the program to include more book titles and more avenues for getting materials and textbooks to students at a low cost.

“”We know we must be able to deliver the content in whatever context the students want it,”” Farias said.

ASUA senators also discussed the proposed increased library fee. Students currently pay $30 a year for new programs and publications at the library, but if approved, students would be asked to pay an additional $120.

Budget cuts and inflation have led to the need to increase the fee, according to Sen. Katherine Weingartner. The library will continue to use the $30 to pay for new programs and use the additional $120 to break even on costs, she said.

Without the additional funds, the fine arts library could be forced to move into another building and wouldn’t be able to afford to expand the popular laptop rental program, according to Weingartner.

The music library could also be negatively affected if the fee increase is not approved. If it is approved, the library hopes to readjust the fee in two to three years, according to Weingartner.   

Sen. Sarah Bratt announced she is still seeking relief supplies to send to Haiti.

“”We’re looking for anything that’s not money,”” Bratt said.

ASUA President Chris Nagata was unable to attend yesterday’s meeting because he was traveling to Phoenix to attend today’s Arizona Board of Regents meeting.