By Phyllis Coulter

Chris Williamson, a senior paying his own way through college largely with student loans, just paid $90 for a single, used textbook.

The history and education major at Illinois State University went with a used book at the local bookstore because he thought he was saving money.

Then he found that he could have bought the same book —new — online for the same price.

It was that kind of experience that prompted U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to initiate the College Textbook Affordability Act to help lower book costs for students. The legislation passed last month, but it won’t take effect until 2010, the Springfield Democrat told students Tuesday at the ISU campus.

“For two more years they rip off students. We want to see changes now,” Durbin said. “I hope some schools don’t wait for the law to go into affect.”

ISU hasn’t waited.

ISU Provost Sheri Everts said the university is a model for providing Web-based information about textbooks to help students find the best prices.

Under the law, a publisher marketing a book to professors will have to disclose the price of a textbook, information on cheaper formats and a history of revisions to the book. Critics claim frequent revisions often are done to make used textbooks obsolete.

The idea is to give professors a better idea of what books to use in their classes.

Textbooks and supplemental materials, such as CDs, that are sold as a bundle — often at a premium price — also will have to be sold separately.

Universities, meanwhile, would be required to provide textbook cost information in class schedules.

ISU already has taken steps to give faculty members and students the textbook information they need, said Registrar Jessie Ray.

In ISU course information, books are listed as required or recommended. Books’ titles, publishers and international standard book numbers (ISBN) also are listed so students can shop around.

So far ISU officials haven’t been able to get the recommended retail price to add to list, but they are working on it, Ray said.

Mike Flanigan, manager Alamo II, a campus bookstore, said he knows professors have changed their required textbooks when suitable, less expensive options are available.

“I honestly think this campus is doing a good job in keeping costs down for students,” Flanigan said.

Five years ago, students paid about $900 for textbooks, Durbin said, and textbook prices have continued to rise at about four times the rate of inflation.

The average college student graduates with $20,000 debt after four years, and almost 25 percent of that cost is textbooks, he said.

Students who spoke Tuesday told of having to photocopy books, cancel study trips and avoid taking some classes because of the high price of books.

Joey Maman, a freshman political science and theater student who spent between $500 and $600 on books this semester, said, “Finding a way to reduce the cost of textbooks is a step to making college more affordable.”