UAS Bookstore Survey

1. Please indicate how you principally interact with the UAS Bookstore:

   Valid Missing Mean 84 0 NA As a local student : 55 As a distance (eLearning) student : 2 As an instructor : 6 University employee : 17 Member of the public : 4

 

2. Please indicate where you live:

   Valid Missing Mean 84 0 NA UAS Housing : 11 Juneau community : 71 Outside of Juneau : 2

 

3. The UAS bookstore website provides online ordering of textbooks and merchandise, general information on the bookstore and faculty book adoption information.

   How helpful is the bookstore web site to you?

   Valid Missing Mean 84 0 NA Very helpful : 19 Somewhat helpful : 17 No opinion : 10 Somewhat unhelpful : 2 Very unhelpful : 2 I have never used the web site : 34

 

4. How do you usually buy your text books?

   Valid Missing Mean 84 0 NA Juneau campus bookstore : 84 Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct) : 0 Other local bookstore : 0 Other online bookstore : 0 Whoever has the best price : 0

   Comments:

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I also buy my textbooks through MBS Direct, especially for all my distance classes.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore If I am taking classes, which I haven't for a while!

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I'm not a student, but have, on occasion, purchased a text book for personal use.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I rarely need textbooks at this stage.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore But that's because I always buy my textbooks a bit late for online stores to ship it to me on time.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I have used the Juneau online bookstore, too.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I purchase desk copies for faculty from the Juneau campus bookstore.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore It is ALWAYS cheaper to find books online. However, shipping makes the process a little more unreliable than buying them at the bookstore, where books are far more expensive.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I also used MBS Direct for Sitka elluminate courses.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore Only because I use financial aid, otherwise I would rather buy online or rent online for cheaper.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore On occasion I will also use Amazon, but the UAS bookstore is very helpful for last-minute textbook purchases, especially when online orders are running late or get canceled.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore There should be a more relaxed policy on book returns at the semesters beginning.  They are really expensive. There should be a student discount for books and items in store.  Especially the art materials.  I really like the selection of art materials as well...bravo!

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore Sara Hagen is very helpful with this.  She does her best to be precise and accurate in ordering, and she patiently clarifies every detail of the process.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore Everyone has always been friendly and helpful!

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I mainly buy my textbooks at the Juneau campus bookstore, but also Juneau online bookstore for distance classes.

   Selected: Juneau campus bookstore I only do this because of the buy back...though I have been increasingly disappointed with the buy back rates of books. This semester, I bought books that I knew I would want to keep on a different site.

 

5. I use the campus bookstore to purchase:

   Valid Missing Mean 84 0 NA Textbooks : 77 School supplies/backpacks : 45 Art supplies : 31 Clothing : 38 General books : 25 Gifts : 41 I do not shop at the campus bookstore : 1 Other : 4

   Comments:

   Selected: I love the selection of gifts available at the UAS Bookstore. I often see locals shopping there and imagine that it attracts visitors to Auke Bay in the summer too.

   Selected: The UAS Bookstore carries a wonderful selection of Fair Trade articles I feel good about buying and giving, and carries a nice selection of UAS logo gear and local art prints. The current location helps keep UAS in the consciousness of our "neighbors" in a positive way.

   Selected: They have a really fun selection of school supplies and gifts, I'm always surprised by their fun selection.

   Selected: Great place to shop!

   Selected: I purchase items for both work and personal use from the campus bookstore.

   Selected: Even though it is really expensive

   Selected: room decorations(:

   Selected: The store far exceeds the quality of local competition.  The pens it sells are the best.  My wife and I buy art supplies, handbags, great gifts, and books from a fine collection thereof.

   Selected: I absolutely LOVE the gift selections - their inventory selector does a fantastic job of choosing quality crafts, cards, and many culturally unique and fair trade items.  Also, the electronics are great - I got my son a set of those new digital pen/electronic paper for note-taking, and a good calculator.  I get my personal calendar, and one for my student son there, too.

 

6. Do you use the bookstore to purchase books using financial aid or agency funding prior to disbursement?

   Valid Missing Mean 83 1 NA Yes : 24 No : 59

 

7. Looking ahead, what are the best things about the current UAS Bookstore that UAS should strive to preserve?

   Valid Missing Mean 59 25 NA

   Comments:

   The ability to use financial aid to purchase things

   I love the selection of gifts available at the UAS Bookstore. I often see locals shopping there and imagine that it attracts visitors to Auke Bay in the summer too. I think it should stay exactly as it is.

   Location!!! Good, easy, accessible parking is a plus

   Location

   location - availability to entire Juneau community - i.e. book readings and other events

   The bookstore is in a prime location and gives UAS more visibility to the community.

   Textbooks and UAS logo clothing

   Great place for gifts!

   It's a beautiful bookstore with great gifts.

   I think the  bookstore does a pretty good job, but think they could do w/o so much non-university artsy products and textiles.

   The bookstore is inviting and interesting. Great logo-wear, art by local artists.

   the employees

   Convenient access to school supplies and equipment, including specialty items like yoga bolsters (difficult to find in Juneau)and imprint items promoting UAS. While less "mission critical," I believe that the pleasant shopping experience is an asset to the neighborhood and reflects well on UAS. The bookstore has a reputation as a great place to shop for thoughtful and unique gifts and presents itself in an appealing way. I wouldn't underestimate the value of having an interface with the public that conveys the values of quality, creativity, and social responsibility.

   The merchandise! There's just something about the apparel every semester that makes me buy them.

   UAS-logo-wear

   I really like how colorful the bookstore is, as a student in Alaska there just aren't many other places to go that have the kinds of treasures they have. I appreciate their stock of art supplies, clothing, school supplies (including yoga), bags, and fair trade items. The staff is always very friendly and helpful and their location is perfect now that all the construction has stopped. I do wish they would make their new sign more clear, several visitors I have talked to get very confused because you can't see the lettering of the green part and they think the bookstore is the main campus. I would also really like it if they put a clock on the sign like their used to be.

   Availability of text books and supplies for all UAS classes. This is also a great place for the public to shop.  The gift section is a big draw for the community.

   A physical location.

   Personally, I like having a physical location, a place with the particular environment and community feel inherent in the bookstore.

   It's not crowded like it was when it was in Mourant. Good quality merchandise. The exhibited art work. Helpful staff.

   Hip vibe.

   As it stands, the bookstore is a nice convenient place to get my textbooks.  I can walk in, get a list of what I need, and be done and know that I'll have my books on time.  It would be a pain in the butt to get them if it wasn't there, and I don't trust the internet.

   Organization is very good

   The general book section.

   Students can actually buy books for classes in person.  This is especially helpful if they change classes at last minute. The Bookstore is also a good place to buy logo wear, graduation gifts and general gifts. It is also a place that the community can interact with UAS.

   Used books,supplies, art supplies,clothing and gifts. I think the bookstore should have some sort of a campus presence, but I also think it should maintain a presence in Auke Bay,which keeps the university connected to the entire community of Juneau.

   been in there once

   Find a way to have enough text books for students Cut costs of books - can go on line and get the same book for cheaper, and when you buy the books back you get nothing for them might as well donate. or keep them.....

   Helpful staff

   idk

   I like how you can ask what books you'll need for certain classes.

   Location, employee demeanor and helpfulness, and the fun feel and decoration of the store.

   I don't know

   The gifts and art supplies

   the variety of books and merchandise available and the incredibly wonderful staff

   Customer service is fantastic

   The availability of books for classes, but at a lower prices than the current one, if possible

   Selling UAS souvenirs and gifts

   Good source of fair trade and UAS branded products. It's pretty limited as a bookstore, so having other kinds of merchandise is a plus.

   the textbooks are convenient, but the website is poor and does not include the option to find out what books are required or prices for planning

   international items and art supplies and books,

   The great selection of UAS apperal

   The manager, her excellent assistants (especially Beth Genaux and Sarah Thrower), the general selection of books, the pens, the great gift items, the art supplies, the handbags, and the atmosphere.  If I were feeling low, just walking into that store would be better than seeing a therapist.  Don't mess with that store!!!

   The staff was always helpful, so keep them!

   Nothing The store is highly unorganized and is filled with useless things. have it more geared toward the school.

   The people that work there and resources available.

   They should definitely keep the gift section, UAS clothing, and general supplies in tact. I feel the whole textbook industry should be renovated to better suit the needs of the students, and until that is done, the UAS bookstore will still have problems.

   N/A

   The combination of book and gift store - it's important to be more than just a textbook outlet.  I've been to many colleges across the country, and all of the good ones had similar combination - fine arts and educational supplies.

   its good environment, cool stuff, and textbooks

   Open on Saturdays

   Colored Graphite, good pencil and pen selection, cheap price for pencil graphite.

   its location to campus

   The diversity of the products available and the *extremely* helpful    staff.

   customer service and Alaska spirit

   I like the variety of merchandise available

   it's important to have course textbooks in hard copy available on or near campus.

   A bookstore is an essential part of a university - it is a critical public face. The UAS logo clothing and similar items, the gifts, and the general book selection say important things about UAS. Yes, text books can be purchased elsewhere, but there is an emotional/psychological aspect of the bookstore that is an important part of a university experience for students, their families, and the community.

   Lots of cool school supplies

 

8. Looking ahead, what changes or new or enhanced services should UAS consider for the bookstore?

   Valid Missing Mean 47 37 NA

   Comments:

   Lower more competitive prices

   I like what Sara has done with the Bookstore and feel that she should be allowed to continue providing the services she has in place. The creative gifts and display creativity help to attract the locals and tourists, and gives students a tax free place to shop on campus.

   expand and have a coffee shop attached.  Also more books and products to sell would be nice.

   How about a weekly e-mail highlighting featured specials, artists, or new items. Do something so that when I think of Bookstore, I'm not just thinking books.

   I would like to see more events...

   I'd like to see Admin. Services relocated to a more obscure location and a more student-centered/socially focused service replace that side of the building. I'm straying from the bookstore... the store could include more items that are needed by both students and Auke Bay community.

   More Ray Troll/UAS designs on clothing. Also, more student/teacher artworks should be displayed here, for sale or otherwise.

   Just bring the prices down a little

   The bookstore prices are incredibly expensive.  It would be nice to see other more Alaskan things in there too along with some of the fair trade stuff.  Also, as an MPA student, it would be nice to have the MPA textbooks available at the bookstore instead of through MBS Direct (especially because I think there are a lot of local people who do the program and that could also entice them to look around the bookstore and maybe buy stuff).

   Move it back on the main campus.  Too out of the way to get to very often.

   More centralized location that is still accessible by the public. Perhaps a kiosk for purchasing MBS Direct books, especially for students taking both face-to-face and eLearning courses. Perhaps some signature product, besides logo-wear, uniquely associated with UAS and not available anywhere else (akin to Cougar Gold cheese at WSU). UAA has a "Books on Bed" service. How cool is that? (http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/bookstore/Textbooks/books-on-beds.cfm)

   On a functional level I think providing a small on-site location, even a kiosk in or near the classroom wing for basic supplies would be helpful to students. If they have to go off campus for a pen they're just as likely to go to Fred Meyer at this point. Given all the online ordering options for books, providing textbooks might be a diminishing need. On the other hand it could be awkward for incoming students who haven't yet established their residence to receive books through the mail in a timely way. I'm curious to hear what current students think and hope we will be guided primarily by their concerns and interests. Ultimately, the bookstore should serve the needs of the UAS community, students above all. (But I still really enjoy shopping there!)

   The buy books back could be a bit organized and a bit more friendly. I know the stresses and the busyness of final weeks are, but when I try to return my books, I feel as if I'm being a burden on the worker. And the organization of the paperwork and looking up if the book is still being used...took them 15 minutes to check if a certain textbook was returning the next semester. Attitude towards customers and organization is the only problems I've encountered.

   Most students will continue to buy textbooks online as it is considerably cheaper to do so.

   It would be nice to be able to rent books over the course of a semester but I can't think of much else.

   Perhaps consider a small, off-campus cafe/coffee shop attached to the bookstore.

   Expand the selection of non textbook materials.

   I suppose we need to convince our students to purchase their textbooks locally. Are books really just that much cheaper online? do online textbook clearinghouses pay more for book buy backs? I feel like the bookstore could and should reasonably remain just that (i.e. a bookstore.) However, clearly students are not patronizing it enough, else I'm guessing this discussion would not be occurring. I feel like it would be shame to lose the bookstore as a physical place. Perhaps moving it onto campus would help change things? incorporate it into the proposed student union or something like that maybe.

   Lower prices on books. Send this to the top.

   The amount for each book we get back; I sold a excelent condition book back and got less then half of the price back.

   An on campus location might be better.

   Over pricing books and under pricing them at book buy-back.

   Offer rental options.

   better service

   Better hours and I know the problem goes all the way up to the publishers, but textbooks are outrageously  marked up.  The bookstore should consider organizing/operating a way, perhaps through social media, to connect students who are seeking books to students who are selling books.  Book buy back is better than nothing, but is often still such a rip, and I know that probably benefits the bookstore, but students will have better positive feelings toward the bookstore if the bookstore did what they could to alleviate the financial pressure of buying textbooks.

   idk

   They should have a book rental program like UAA.

   Lower prices- college students do not have large amounts of money and almost everything in the store is overpriced- makes it less likely for some students to purchase items other than textbooks.

   I don't know

   needs no improvement

   Location on campus!

   supplies for dorm rooms

   Help for people in low income bracket that isn't scholarship based but off of if you use food stamps.

   Some of the staff are very unprofessional when helping students find supplies they need: ie being rude, disrespectful, pushy, and snappy. Some customers are first time college students that have never bought books before and the staff should keep that in mind when a customer is confused.

   Don't you dare make any!  It's the ideal store in the perfect location.

   None (I'm also graduating).

   Should consider higher price for buybacks. $10 for a $270 textbook?

   The UAS bookstore should look for a better way to do the buy back system. Currently I don't feel students are being properly compensated for returning their books at the end of semester. Maybe if they ramped up their general book section, they might get more business outside of the university.

   N/A

   Don't reduce it to just a books and UAS paraphernalia site please. I know space is tight, but this book store is a real asset as it is!

   Buy back more books

   Unknown.

   perhaps a book delivery system?

   No comment

   The bookstore belongs on main campus.

   Coffee shop; feature more local retail items such as smoked salmon and local art work. I have mixed feelings about the current location of the bookstore. Need to figure out how to advertise the bookstore more.

   More variety of books