The Appalachian State University bookstore has implemented a change to its textbook return system that will allow students to check out electronically without a card.

“Basically what we’ve done is automated what we had before,” said Steve Jepson, business manager of the university bookstore.

In the past, students would line up with their books and card and employees would check off the books that were returned, Jepson said. Now, it is going to be electronic, so students will line up and employees will scan the barcodes on all of the books brought back.

If someone steals another person’s book and returns the book, the person it originally belonged to will get credit for the return, Jepson said.

An employee could scan the barcode on any one of a student’s books and see the student’s name, banner ID and what books they have rented, Jepson said.

“That is something that is unique to Appalachian,” Jepson said. “I don’t know of any other school in the country that does that.”

The biggest reason for this change is savings and resources.

“We think it’s going to be faster,” Jepson said. “It takes out the human error and it’s going to be much, much greener.”

“There are about 15,000 students at the university,” Director of the Bookstore Mike Coston said. “That’s about 30,000 cards that we’re not having to print every year.”

After returning their books, students will get a receipt listing the books that have been returned, which they will sign, Jepson said.

“That way if there’s any questions down the road…if we bill someone and they say, ‘Wait a minute, I returned that book – here’s my receipt,’ then that’s proof for them,” Jepson said.

Jepson said he hopes this system is faster for the students.

Story: LINDSAY BOOKOUT, News Reporter