Student determination to save money has succeeded in a Facebook group devoted to selling used textbooks called “ULM Book Swap.” 

Students can compare the prices of textbooks posted as up for sale on the Facebook group page with that of textbooks from the university’s bookstore and online rental services and stores. 

Incoming freshmen use the Facebook page to ask questions regarding  significant aspects of university life.

Students typically arrange a sale over Facebook after finding their desired textbooks advertised in a post on the Facebook page.

Tyler Buccola, a senior health studies marketing and management student, serves as one of the admins for the group. 

Buccola noticed that students were willing to help each other get affordable books while meeting in a safe and convenient location for students involved in the transaction.

“Using it personally, it has been one of the most successful self-run society/market products I’ve ever participated in,” Buccola said.

Students can find out from others who have previously taken a course whether or not a book is required by the professor and necessary for completion of coursework.

Older editions of textbooks are available for much lower prices. Most students’ advertisements on the Facebook page note if a book is an older edition but can still be used for a class.

Certain required textbooks must be purchased new at the bookstore, such as workbooks and lab books.

Buyers can post In Search Of, or ISO, in order to let the sellers come to them.

Josh McDowell, a recent ULM graduate in pre-professional health studies, created the public group on Facebook at the end of the Fall 2009 semester.

McDowell created the page to help students find an alternative to the high sale prices and low buy-back amounts at the bookstore.

“It has helped many students save hundreds and some save thousands of dollars on textbooks,” McDowell said.

McDowell considers the page a continuing success.