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Columbia College students can swap books at center
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Columbia College student Stephanie Romero once paid $200 for a math textbook.
So when a leadership class project required students to pair up and come up with a project to benefit other students, Romero and her class partner, Chet White, decided to start a book swap. The idea sprang from Romero’s own experience buying books from other students who’d taken classes she enrolled in. “I didn’t go to college right out of high school. I didn’t realize how expensive books are,” said Romero, 28, of Mi-Wuk Village. “I was overwhelmed at the prices of textbooks and I was like there has to be another way to do this.” The next step is to create a website with book listings. “Like a craigslist for books,” Romero said. “That’s our ultimate goal.” The first swap event on Dec. 14 wasn’t well attended but Romero and college staff have high hopes for the future. “When we get to graduation we’ll probably be inundated with books,” said Doralyn Foletti, keeper of the donated books which are shelved in the college student center. Foletti has dubbed it the “book co-op.” “I think it’s really great the students are continuing their education and they’re willing to pay it forward and donate,” Foletti said. Foletti commented that even if books won’t be used for a particular class again, they are a good resource for students. This will also assist students who are short financially and “it’s that one component to keep them moving forward.” It’s a unique program the college has never had before, Foletti said. It’s gained praise from College President Dennis Gervin, who noted it in his announcements to district officials at Wednesday’s board of trustees meeting. “I thought it was a really cool idea,” Gervin said, adding that the book swap will allow students to not just swap books but ideas and resources. “It’s a way to help each other as students, which I like,” he said. |
