University bookstores across the nation are offering prices that have almost doubled the rate of inflation in the last twenty years, and the UAF Bookstore is no exception.

Textbook prices rise at an average of 6 percent each year, nearly tripling in price from 1986 to 2004, according to a report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office.

The most expensive book required for any UAF class this semester is "Biology" by Peter Raven and George Johnson for the BIOL 103 class "Biology and Society." At $248, this book is used for only one semester, but comes with supplemental materials that may contribute to the high cost.

"Why it's that much more expensive I don't know," said Anja Kade, the professor for the course. "It's a big book and comes with materials with interactive testing."

After a close look at the big book and deliberation with other professors, Kade decided it was the best choice for her biology students.

For FISH 427, "Ichthyology," the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences offers a way out of buying what would be the most expensive textbook for its students. "Fishes of the World" by Joseph Nelson is $257.25, but is only recommended, not required. According to a previous "Ichthyology" student, skipping out on buying the book not only saved her money, it also didn't put her at a disadvantage in the class.

"[The professor] went through and gave us a list of which books were the best, but we didn't need to buy them," said Jess Johnson, 22. "He made sure that he hit the main points of everything he wanted us to know in class."

Chemistry is the department with the most classes on the list of top ten most expensive textbooks at UAF, though in some cases the books can be used for more than one semester.

Something that is adding to the rising cost of textbooks is the additional interactive materials that are being packaged with the books. The Chemistry Department is still experimenting with its additional electronic materials.

"Are students really learning more?" asked John Keller, the professor who teaches CHEM 321, "Organic Chemistry." "As far as the Chemistry Department is concerned, the jury is still out on whether the OWL card and clicker are worth it."

Keller's course requires the book "Chemistry and Chemical Reactions" along with the OWL card and clicker, totaling $205.25.

Another factor contributing to cost is which edition is used, said Keller. The sixth edition is currently used for his class, which is a two-semester course.

"Used copies of the fifth edition go for pennies on the dollar," Keller said. "That's looking a lot better to me, to tell the truth."

Students enrolled in Keller's course should be more worried about the amount of time they will be devoting to studying than price, he said.

"The reputation of 'Organic Chemistry' across the world is this is the world's hardest course. So don't be worried about the price," said Keller. "Your investment in time and effort will far outweigh the dollar amounts."

The UAF Bookstore has already made an effort to decrease prices for students, said Robert Holden, director of auxiliary services.

"We lowered the overall mark on books a couple of years ago," he said. "The only increases are the ones passed on by providers."

The bookstore works hard to be helpful to students and professors, Holden said.

"We only purchase books the instructors' request," said Holden. "In some cases we've had to go as far as the UK to get the books they've requested."

The bookstore offers a buyback policy that can be beneficial to students.

"We work hard to buy books back at the end of the semester," Holden said. "Students get some of their money back and we can sell them back cheaper to students the next semester."

At the order of Congressman David Wu (D-Ore.), the U.S. Department of Education began a study earlier this year on the rising price of textbooks, with the belief that college education can be made more accessible to all students if textbooks are made more affordable.

With the knowledge that for students at four-year public institutions, the cost of textbooks is 26 percent of their college tuition and fees, Wu hopes the study will reveal ways to reduce the current cost of books.

"The college textbook industry is a classic broken market," Wu said in a September press release. "And every year that the cost of textbooks doubles compared to the overall average of prices, is another year students experience an even greater barrier to a college degree. I intend to find solutions to this problem that is plaguing our students."