Penn State student Christy Falotico is turning her books into bucks.

Falotico (senior-accounting) -- who sold back some of her textbooks yesterday to beat the finals week rush -- said her expenses motivated her to finish the chore earlier than usual.

"I'm going to get my oil changed and spend [the rest] at home for the holidays," Falotico (senior-accounting) said.

Many students like Falotico have started the buy-back process early.

"I came because I wanted to be done with it," Paul Tavares (sophomore-marketing) said. "There are a lot of people selling books back."

In addition to the Penn State Bookstore in the HUB-Robeson Center, downtown stores in State College will buy books from students, including the Student Book Store, 330 E. College Ave., and Got Used Bookstore, 206 E. College Ave.

Tom Fankhauser, assistant manager of the Penn State Bookstore, said even though finals will take place a week later this year than last -- only a few days away from Christmas -- the dynamics of selling books back would not really change.

Fankhauser said students selling their books should expect "all cash transactions."

Highlighting and other kinds of work done in books usually won't affect the sale, he added.

"Books are usually considered resellable," he said. "As long as [the highlighting] isn't excessive, it's in re-sellable condition."

The Penn State Bookstore normally does most of its business in the three to four days of finals week, Fankhauser said. He added that students will generally be selling their books around the same time, in the midst of finals week. However, students shouldn't be worried about waiting a long time in line.

"Generally, unless it's a real peak time, the lines move pretty fast," he said. "We set up a room to do buybacks in volume.

Fankhauser also added that there were going to be locations in East Halls and Pollock Halls for students' convenience. If students are in a hurry, Fankhauser advised that students check business hours. Generally, business "settles down" by 3 or 4 p.m., Fankhauser said.

John Lindo, manager of the Student Book Store, said business is starting to pick up, though next week is typically "bigger."

"We do it the same way every year," he said. "We have multiple buyers, so we don't foresee anything that would discourage students."

Lindo also said students shouldn't be concerned with markings in textbooks.

"Used books are used books," he said.

Many students said they felt that by selling their books early, they could avoid long lines that may ensue next week during finals.

"Now's the best time to turn them in," Falotico said.

"I told my girl friends to come early, but I wouldn't tell other people. At least not until my books are sold back."

Meghan Byrnes (freshman-political science) said the money she made from the three books she sold would go toward her Christmas shopping.

"It's convenient," she said. "It's money."

Byrnes also said she planned on selling more books back next week after finishing her finals.

"I haven't taken some of my finals, but I definitely plan on selling more books back and using [the money] towards expenses for next semester," she said.