UAS Bookstore Survey

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

    Valid Missing Mean
    74 0 NA
    As a local student : 31
     
    As a distance (eLearning) student : 2
     
    As an instructor : 9
     
    University employee : 26
     
    Member of the public : 6
     
  2.  
  3. Please indicate where you live:

    Valid Missing Mean
    74 0 NA
    UAS Housing : 5
     
    Juneau community : 65
     
    Outside of Juneau : 4
     
  4.  
  5. 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
    74 0 NA
    Very helpful : 17
     
    Somewhat helpful : 9
     
    No opinion : 11
     
    Somewhat unhelpful : 5
     
    Very unhelpful : 2
     
    I have never used the web site : 30
     
  6.  
  7. How do you usually buy your text books?

    Valid Missing Mean
    61 13 NA
    Juneau campus bookstore : 31
     
    Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct) : 6
     
    Other local bookstore : 1
     
    Other online bookstore : 5
     
    Whoever has the best price : 18
     
    Comments:
    I am not a student who needs text books.  But if I was, I would probably buy them at the U Book Store.
    Selected: Juneau online bookstore (MBS Direct)
    I compare prices but usually find that MBS Direct has the best prices and thanks to the class specific links I can make sure I get the correct items.
    NA
    I order books for my classes through the bookstore
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    try bookstore first - local business
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    The UAS bookstore's used textbooks usually cost twice what you can get them for online. And when it comes to a difference of a couple hundred dollars for a semester's worth of books, I can't waste the money on supporting a smaller business when I have to buy groceries.
    Selected: Juneau campus bookstore
    I rarely need textbooks at this stage.
    I don't buy textbooks.
    not applicable
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    Other online store, because they almost ALWAYS have the best price.
    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: Whoever has the best price
    usually check friends of the library first, then amazon; usually the prices are cheaper and shipping is usually free.  Textbooks, even used ones are generally more expensive at the bookstore.
    Selected: Other online bookstore
    Not worth it any more to buy from UAS book store
    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.
    N/A - Instructor
    Selected: Juneau campus bookstore
    I also used MBS Direct for Sitka elluminate courses.
    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: Whoever has the best price
    mostly buy from coursesmart.com (online version of textbooks)
    I am an instructor so I don't usually purchase textbooks.
    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: Other online bookstore
    I have yet to find a better site to buy textbooks on than dealoz.com. They compare all the online vendors together to give you the best price. I rarely even bother to check the bookstore for my textbooks because even with shipping to Alaska, online is cheaper.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    eBooks.
    Selected: Whoever has the best price
    I use a variety of sources each semester.
  8.  
  9. I use the campus bookstore to purchase:

    Valid Missing Mean
    74 0 NA
    Textbooks : 39
     
    School supplies/backpacks : 55
     
    Art supplies : 74
     
    Clothing : 47
     
    General books : 31
     
    Gifts : 52
     
    I do not shop at the campus bookstore : 1
     
    Other : 5
     
    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:
    This survey is aimed at students and so, most of these questions are not relevant to the rest of the community.  How does this tell you anything?
    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:
    I only buy things rarely. Walmart is WAY cheaper, for school supplies, and amazon is WAY cheaper for textbooks. Special art things for art classes are about it, except occasionally notebooks in a hurry.
    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:
    The bookstore is well managed and looks very nice. I always like to go in there and it is a nice presence a face for the University in the area down closer to DeHarts. It was even more so when we had the large bank-style clock with temperature and the higher-up UAS sign. Not sure why that was taken out (or not just replaced) - it was a landmark and a good advertisement for both the bookstore and UAS.  
    Selected:
    I love the bookstore! I do my Christmas shopping and make most gift purchase there. I have also purchased, cards, art supplies, a briefcase, Campus book of the year.
    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 love that you guys have yoga material to buy.
    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.  
    Selected:
    UAS merchandise to promote UAS, and greeting cards
    Selected:
    I love the campus bookstore environment, product mix, vibe. I have introduced nonstudents to the bookstore shopping experience as well and they are happy.
  10.  
  11. Do you use the bookstore to purchase books using financial aid or agency funding prior to disbursement?

    Valid Missing Mean
    70 4 NA
    Yes : 13
     
    No : 57
     
  12.  
  13. Looking ahead, what are the best things about the current UAS Bookstore that UAS should strive to preserve?

    Valid Missing Mean
    59 15 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.
    Unique gift options
    The warmth, variety and customer service.
    I believe the best thing about the bookstore, is that it allows you to browse through the textbooks, what items you may need for classes, many art supplies are not available locally, and finally looking for cards and gifts close by so you don't forget those special events.  Yes, many of us use the e-cards as well, but you still can't replace that special card for that special someone to hold in their hands.
    It always has a good collection of items including textbooks, clothing and art supplies. Their gifts are a great addition to the store. I hope UAS continues with keeping a large selection of items available for students and the community to buy especially UAS attire. I also like the idea of students being able to purchase books using financial aid or agency funding. This is sometimes the only way students can receive their book prior to their classes starting.
    Website.  Cheerful, upbeat atmosphere, school/class supplies for all subjects - especially art, ceramics, etc as those are hard to locate elsewhere locally.
    For general reading books the FOTL bookstore beats everyone.  I've not done textbook ordering, so I don't know who the purchaser has used. ( I assume the bookstore. ) Lovely gifts, though I've only bought ones there once or twice. The art supplies are very well priced.  Better than the art stores in town.
    location - availability to entire Juneau community - i.e. book readings and other events
    Ways to meet students' needs.
    The bookstore is in a prime location and gives UAS more visibility to the community.
    Textbooks and UAS logo clothing
    used book buy back and sell, art supplies (no one else carries them)
    Unique collection of gift items, art supplies, notebooks and other school supplies.
    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.
    Books at competitive prices
    UAS clothing and UAS pride type inventory
    Fair trade gifts
    University logo wear, supplemental books, well organized texbooks - when instructors don't list required books students can still locate them and purchase them before classes.
    It is nice to have a place to walk-in to shop at.
    The section with the books by local and UAS faculty
    I'm told that UAS has the best stock of art supplies in Juneau.
    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.
    nice staff.
    Staff,services and product-
    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.
    UAS logo items, variety of art supplies
    The general book section.
    showcase of local artwork, clothing, and well-priced art supplies
    I really appreciate the selection of fair trade market and other unique giftworthy items.  The Juneau community is becoming aware the store sells more than just books.
    The options of non-book items. It is a great "gift store"
    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.    
    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
    art supplies
    Location, employee demeanor and helpfulness, and the fun feel and decoration of the store.
    The gifts and art supplies
    textbooks and uas culture items one stop shop for campus. online
    Where it is. The atmosphere inside. The art. The nice gifts. This is a really good place and what many students (and parents) first see when they show up for the semester. Please don't change it.
    I love the fair trade items, location, school and art related materials.
    Customer service is fantastic
    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.
    I love the the Bookstore provides a University presence in the community of Auke Bay. I feel like it's a community store, and not a University resource. I recommend all my friends visit there for book choices, and all my out of town guests go there as well. University bookstores have an appeal to anyone who has ever attended college, whether they graduated from UAS or not.
    international items and art supplies and books,
    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 website to look up what books are needed for the classes is clear and very helpful
    I do love the variety of items at the UAS bookstore. I even bring my out-of-state family and friends there when they visit.
    It got a great array of supplies, books, and gift stuff
    Find a different way to sell text books? Or make service so good at the book store that we don't mind spending the extra 20 dollars for a book. Service is everything!

    Maybe have once a month sells for the college students in the dorms? Bring in cheap cleaning products, food, and other things that are good for college students to buy on discount that they can use their whalebucks with.
    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.
    Love the location and the community presence. Visual appeal
    its good environment, cool stuff, and textbooks
    Please continue to stock:  Eclectic, fair trade, and sustainable gifts.  UAS apparel
    The unique gifts available to the public to purchase. I also appreciate the art supplies, exercise stuff, and clothes. It is my favorite store for gift shopping.
    The vibe, the excellent product selection, the relevant materials for the semester.
    The diversity of the products available and the *extremely* helpful    staff.
    friendly staff, great merchandice
  14.  
  15. Looking ahead, what changes or new or enhanced services should UAS consider for the bookstore?

    Valid Missing Mean
    47 27 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.
    Do they have packaged snacks at all?  More "green" products.
    The bookstore is great in how it enhances the community with special gifts from around the globe, art supplies, and easy access to those textbooks you don't have time to wait for.
    I wish the bookstore was on campus. I believe that majority would benefit from the move to on campus it would also bring the community on campus to be a part of it and be able to see our changes. I think improving their website so anyone could shop on it would be a great feature, items could include books, apparel, gifts, supplies etc (maybe even a sale or a clearance section). If this was available more people outside of Juneau (especially our satellite campuses) would be able to purchase UAS items including their books.
    Focus on students needs rather than gift items.  The multitude of candles, purses, decor lighting, and other non-essentials seem more focused towards the public.  Students have enough difficulty living within their means, bombarding them with pretty non-essentials in the student bookstore seems counter productive.
    Not sure.  Too bad it's not on main campus.  I'm sure it would get more foot traffic. Can students get ice grippers there?
    I would like to see more events...
    Should be on the main campus.  Needs to figure out how to compete with online sales and rentals.
    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.
    less kitsch
    The UAS Bookstore should first and foremost offer items required of students, books, school supplies, and UAS clothing and promo items and be accessible to students - i.e. ON CAMPUS!! Secondly, the UAS bookstore should promote UAS. It is a place where students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the community purchase items that align with the mission of UAS and promotes the UAS brand. Clothing should align with the UAS logo and Spike. Currently, clothing and promo items have no common theme and are all over the place - new logos, new graphics, and the Troll art. This varied approach only serves to dilute the overall UAS brand. Lastly, the UAS bookstore should highlight the work of our faculty.
    Cheaper used textbooks and it would also be nice if they sold other inexpensive used general books, such as novels, etc.
    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!)
    Selling tickets for Juneau events will get people in the bookstore.  Art receptions are a good idea.  Book readings.  Highlight UA literature (probably already do)
    keep a bookstore on campus :)
    Online books and physical book selling.
    If the future is electronic text books, how will the bookstore fit into the picture?
    It would be nice to be able to rent books over the course of a semester but I can't think of much else.
    Cheaper school supplies. Moving on campus would be nice, or have a mini school supply only outlet on main campus.
    na
    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.
    Bring it to campus!  Perhaps place a more competitive price point as there are more competitive places.  Incorporate coffee drinks as part of sales.  More juneau made products. . .
    Better deals for students to purchase and receive money or store credit back for their books
    A cash machine would be very nice, and I've wished Sara would carry Republic of Tea, or similar brand. Since Sara sells a lot of art supplies, it would be super if space was allotted for consignment of student art and/or ceramics.

    If the bookstore space is repurposed, something really lacking in the building is space for a quiet room that isn't just a wide spot in the traffic pattern that could be used for actual stress relief, such as yoga, taichi, meditation, etc.  I envision low light, ambient music, a tabletop fountain with comfortable seating for two or three and space for two or three yoga mats.  
    Over pricing books and under pricing them at book buy-back.
    Offer rental options.
    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.
    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.
    a better being there experience online
    The brick and mortar bookstore is awesome. I wouldn't change much. It would be nice to see electronic textbook options, and the current website is too rigid. There should be options that let vendors compete for the best price, etc. That's what people are going to do anyway.
    Be open the day after Thanksgiving for Christmas shopping. More books on SE Alaska especially if Hearthside changes its character.
    I think that the concept of buying textbooks from a physical location is going the way of the dinosaur, but I do not think we should remove a "store" presence from campus.
    Help for people in low income bracket that isn't scholarship based but off of if you use food stamps.
    Don't you dare make any!  It's the ideal store in the perfect location.
    I never sell my books back to UAS as their pay-back prices are so low. I get a better price reselling them online or in person. UAS needs to make it worth my while if they want more used textbooks options.
    It's already a great little store, I think it would get utilized more for buying supplies and such if it were actually on campus.
    Selling useful supplies for full time students. i.e. food, cleaning supplies, boots...
    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!
    Book rentals!!!
    More art supplies. I also think UAS should advertise to the general public about what is available at the bookstore.
    Free coffee? Invitational champagne brunch shopping events?
    perhaps a book delivery system?
    move the bookstore onto the campus, it is impossible to get to between classes for merchandise you may have forgotten to bring. also make it bigger, the aisles can be to tight to move through effectively.
  16.  

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