1. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT BOOKS I NEED?
   
   
2. HOW DO I FIND MY BOOKS?
   
   
3. WHEN SHOULD I BUY MY BOOKS?
   
   
4. WHAT IS THE TEXTBOOK RETURN POLICY?
   
   
5. WHAT IS A BUYBACK? HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I GET FOR MY BOOKS?
   
   
6. WHY IS MY BOOK NOT ON THE SHELF?
   
   
7. WHY ARE TEXTBOOKS SO EXPENSIVE?
   
   
8. WHO OWNS THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE?
   
   
9. HOW ARE BOOKSTORE REVENUES USED?
   
   
10. HOW DO I PAY FOR MY BOOKS WHEN I ORDER THEM ONLINE?
    

1. HOW DO I KNOW WHAT BOOKS I NEED?
   

   Books that are required, recommended or optional are listed on the shelftags in the Bookstore as well as on our virtual bookstore. The shelf tags are up about a month prior to the beginning of classes. Please note that sometimes a textbook order may change; the publisher could be out of stock with no used copies available; the book could be out of print; the order may simply change. back to top

2. HOW DO I FIND MY BOOKS?
   

   Textbooks are arranged on the bookshelves according to discipline, course number and section number. Courses could have more than one professor teaching different sections, and all could require different books. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE YOUR COURSE SCHEDULE WITH YOU TO BE CERTAIN YOU ARE BUYING THE CORRECT BOOKS. back to top

3. WHEN SHOULD I BUY MY BOOKS?
   

   It is best to wait until you have received your final class schedule. Also, go to class before you purchase recommended or optional titles for a class. The Textbook department will begin returning overstock in October (Fall Semester) and in March (Spring Semester), so do not wait until then to buy your books. back to top

4. WHAT IS THE TEXTBOOK RETURN POLICY?
   

   Any textbook purchased for the current semester may be exchanged or refunded during the ADD PERIOD provided that:

   1. The book is in the same condition as when purchased
   2. The book is accompanied by a UMW Bookstore cash register receipt.
   In addtion, returns will be accepted through the INITIAL DROP PERIOD ONLY when accompanied by
   1. An authorized drop slip OR
   2. A copy of your course schedule with the current date on it AND your student ID.
      NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES WILL BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT A UMW BOOKSTORE CASH REGISTER RECEIPT.
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5. WHAT IS A BUYBACK? HOW MUCH MONEY CAN I GET FOR MY BOOKS?

   At the end of each semester, UMW Bookstore and a used book company will buy books back from students. Several factors affect the amount that one does or does not receive for a book. If the Textbook Department has received an order for the book from a professor, and more copies of the title are needed, the owner will receive up to 50% of the retail price of the book. If the book is not needed by the store and there is a national demand for the book, the owner will receive up to 30% of the retail price of the book. Many classes are taught only in the Fall or Spring, so sometimes it is best to wait until the next semester to sell the book. Be aware, though, that often new editions of textbooks are released. This would leave the book with no buyback value. (Additionally, please note: Neither custom packages with pieces missing NOR books with missing pages or water damage will be purchased.) Textbooks can be the start of an important personal library. The value of a book is the knowledge contained within it. Remember, the choice to sell a book is up to the individual. back to top

6. WHY IS MY BOOK NOT ON THE SHELF?
   There are several possible reasons. The order may not yet have been received from the professor. Enrollment for for the class may have increased. Students may have dropped the class but not yet returned the book. The publisher may be out of stock or the book out of print with all available used copies already procured. Shipping delays are also known culprits. If you have questions regarding the status of an out of stock title, please see a member of the Textbook Department staff. back to top
7. WHY ARE TEXTBOOKS SO EXPENSIVE?
   Several factors contribute to the high cost of textbooks. Manufacturing materials, editing, authors' royalties and advertising fees are just a few costs associated with getting books to market. Unlike mass-produced books sold to a market of millions, the market for textbooks is very small. Additionally, textbook content is very specific. It entails years of research and effort on the part of authors. According to 2002-2003 financial data gathered by the National Association of College Stores (NACS) and the Association of American Publishers (AAP), over 75 cents of every dollar spent on a textbook goes to cover publisher expenses. The remainder of the dollar, just under 25 cents, covers the college stores' cost of operations. back to top
8. WHO OWNS THE UNIVERSITY BOOKSTORE?
   The University of Mary Washington Bookstore is owned and operated by UMW. back to top
   
9. HOW ARE BOOKSTORE REVENUES USED?
   The UMW Bookstore revenues are used first to support its operations. What remains of revenue after the cost of doing business supports students and the University in the following ways:
   • Assist in the repair and maintenance of non-academic buildings and grounds (the State does not permit the use of tuition, academic fees or State funds to repair or maintain the non-academic buildings).
   • Used to support our Student Life programs and activities
   • Used to support the Judicial Affairs and Community Responsibility programs and activities
   • Used to support intramurals and recreational activities.
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10. HOW DO I PAY FOR MY BOOKS WHEN I ORDER THEM ONLINE?
    You can use your Master Card or Visa to pay for your online textbook orders. We are sorry that you are not able to use your Eagle One card for online purchases at this time.
    

On January 1, 2007, as required by the International ISBN Agency, all ISBN's consist of 13 digits ("ISBN-13"). In compliance with the change, you will see that the ISBNs listed on the UMW Bookstore web page consist of 13 digits, most beginning with the 978- prefix. The final digit, the check digit, will differ from that of ISBN - 10. For more information go to www.isbn.org.