Switch to e-books helps IU students save money - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indiana University says it is ahead of other universities when it comes to saving money on textbooks this year.

Hundreds of classes at the Bloomington college will use new high-tech, lower cost e-books.

Bags heavy with books are costing students a ton of money as they return to class.

"I get about five books, each one costs about $100-ish," said IU junior Katlynn Nissen.

Actually, Indiana University figures a typical student's book bill totals about $1,000.

To save students and offer them new educational opportunities, Indiana University created this first-of-its-kind electronic alternative to textbooks.

"Their net textbook bill should go down a third to a half over time," said IU vice president for information technology Brad Wheeler.

It would shave thousands of dollars off the cost of going to college.

"That's a lot of money," said IU student Leigh Isaac.

For years, individual students have been buying e-books over the Internet or over the counter. IU went in a different direction, cutting out the retailer and making high-volume deals directly with the publishers.

When a professor chooses an e-text, a fee is automatically added to each student's tuition bill. They get a full-color text book with the ability to highlight important information, make notes and read the notes of their professor and even the notes of their classmates.

"It is on any device, "Wheeler said. "Android, smartphone, iPod, Mac or PC."

Despite lower costs and high-tech features, even tech savvy students are reluctant about new technology they get to put their hands on.

"I want my own book. Something I can read and make notes in," said student Liza Shaw.