The State Public Interest Research Groups, a consumer organization that advocates for students, has issued another report going after textbook publishers for high prices.
The report argues that major publishers haven’t done enough to provide cheaper alternatives to their pricey textbooks, which often come bundled with DVD’s and other add-ons that some see as an excuse to charge more. A government report last year blamed such “bundled” items in large part for big increases in textbook prices in recent years (The Chronicle, August 17, 2005).
The consumer group’s report also praises publishers that offer online versions of their books at a reduced cost, but it says the practice needs to be more widespread.
