In a time when the size and cost of textbooks are rapidly on the rise, students are willing to welcome any alternative that won’t break the bank or their backs.

Because of this crave for a simpler way to use and carry textbooks, the interactive e-book and PDF textbook fad is spreading across campus, proving to be a great tool for many ULM students.

Whitney Plunkett, a freshman political science major, uses e-books to effectively organize when reading and studying.

“I like the PDF version of textbooks because I can pull up more than one thing on my iPad,” said Plunkett. “It makes it easier to take notes because I can go in and take my notes right in the PDF or e-book.”

Plunkett also finds e-books to be a great alternative to the backbreaking weight of textbooks, especially when students have such a distance to walk to get to classes.

“I don’t have to carry a bunch of heavy books around, just that one electronic,” Plunkett said.

But the growing popularity of e-books amongst students hasn’t caused any worry to ULM’s bookstore.

According to Rebecca Boothby, manager of the bookstore, they haven’t faced any troubles when it comes to sales.

“As far as business goes, e-books don’t really hurt us,” said Boothby, “We, ourselves, sell e-books and access codes to online sources. It is a good tool for students.”

And, while PDF texts and e-books may be more convenient for some students, the bookstore offers the opportunity to purchase used books or to rent.

These money saving deals make for a more cost effective choice for the students that take advantage of these options.

While many teachers urge students to acquire a textbook in whatever way is convenient for them, professors like Eugenie Goodwin find that some subjects are easier absorbed with a physical book in hand.

“I like to highlight things and I like to read it and work it. Especially if it’s quantitative and you have to work things out,” Goodwin said.

When it comes to subjects that involve learning by examples, such as statistics or accounting, Goodwin finds that, for most students, a paper textbook proves to be a good choice.

Alaina Johnson, a sophomore marketing major, doesn’t see herself joining the e-book craze any time soon.

“I like to have a physical book in front of me, so I can highlight and follow along when I’m reading and studying,” Johnson said.

Johnson, like many people on campus, is an on-the-run student, and finds paper textbooks to also be more convenient when studying at any time in any place.

“I don’t have to find Internet connection or a bulky computer to study. I like that I can pull out a book wherever I am and get some reading done.”

While some students prefer the old fashion methods of reading, others embrace the availability of a more compact and versatile method of studying and organizing.