As students line up to purchase their textbooks at bookstores around campus, they will again be shocked at their receipts.

Recently, the New York Times reported two stories about the inflated price of textbooks. In the first instance, the Times reported on an unethical and possibly illegal practice of textbook publishers. Namely, the article states textbook publishers sell the same book overseas for up to half the price here in America.

In one common example, a book on www.amazon.com cost more than 50 percent than the same version of the book that was being offered on Amazon's British Web site (www.amazon.com.uk).

The other story in the Times reported the shady inner-workings of textbook publishers.

The publishers constantly seek to republish material in an "updated" edition. Meanwhile, they make behind-closed-doors deals with professors and departments to switch textbooks --both done to stem the sale of used books.

Of course, as any student knows,
the used books at Penn State bookstores are hardly any way to save money.

The books are rarely discounted more than 20 percent, no matter how many times they have resold the book. And when you go to sell the book back, you receive a pittance.

Textbook publishers and college bookstores should be ashamed for manipulating the cost of knowledge and taking advantage of college students for profit.