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Are physical textbooks becoming obsolete? Since the 1990’s, with the increase in technological advancements and use of the internet, this question is starting to become a serious and more pervasive one. Some wonder if textbooks should even be required or used at all.

Mat Greiner, a teacher in the art department thinks there are other alternatives. He has made the transition; everything he reads is digital. When he moved into his new office, he asked to have his bookcases removed.

When Greiner was in graduate school, most of the readings were PDFs or electronic, and he didn’t feel the need to have a bunch of books taking up space in his office. He also thought accessing them digitally was much easier and more convenient.

“I had books, but they weren’t textbooks” Greiner said. “And the ones I had, were less frequent than the ones I got through PDF or just reading scholarly articles or current press by electronic means.”

Print textbook sales have declined in recent years. Even though the majority of students still read print textbooks, the number has decreased in recent years. 32 percent of courses have required materials that include access codes according to studentpirgs.org.

“Requiring textbooks is applying the idea that all students learn the same way” Greiner said. “I think if an educator wanted to find different ways to apply that information to help students become exposed to that information, to find their own way to become interested in it it and want to engage in it, and work with it.”

The Grand View Bookstore has started offering students more options for textbooks than your normal print textbooks. These include interactive digital versions that allow highlighting and note taking. There can also be online discussions between students and teachers to exchange feedback and notes.

The bookstore has also partnered with RedShelf, which offers all kinds of affordable eTextbooks including ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) textbooks for people with dyslexia, vision impairments or other disabilities.

“What would happen if a science class decided we are going to teach the same content but with no textbook?” Greiner said.

According to Leadwinds.com, 66 percent of students don’t purchase textbooks because of the price.

“I’ve been in textbook factories. They use the cheapest paper, the cheapest lining, and they’re still expensive” Greiner said. “They’re still a lot of money. You have to pay for all of the photographers and the illustrators. People need to lay the whole book out. There’s a lot of work that goes into them.”

Timothy Reger, who works at the GV Bookstore doesn’t think print is going away anytime soon.

“The industry’s changing how that’s being distributed to the students” Reger said. “There’s a large component that’s moving to digital but there’s definitely still a huge need for print.”

One of the things that’s become available is called OpenStax. It is essentially free textbook material.

“They get automatic access to it. Students have access to course materials instead of having to wait a week or two, or however long they decide to order textbooks” Reger said.

Most of the students that buy textbooks go for the used textbooks. According to campustechnology.com, 67 percent of students buy used over new.

“So when it comes to whether printed textbooks are going away, I think right now there’s going to be a huge mix between both print and digital” Reger said.

“It’s definitely an interesting time, we’re trying to change and see how to remain relevant to the students, and be able to get their course materials how they want them.”