PIRG

Since the early 2000s, the Student PIRGs have been researching the textbook marketplace and the role of students in that marketplace. Our research has been used by policymakers, student leaders, and campus administrators to create textbook affordability programs across the country. Below is a chronological list of the reports and research the Student PIRGs has published on textbooks, starting with our most recent report.

Publications

Report: National
Fixing the Broken Textbook Market: Fourth Edition
Author: Dan Xie, Student Public Interest Research Groups
Year: 2026 - Format: PDF

Report: National
Automatic Textbook Billing: Limited Choice, Uncertain Savings
Author: Elizabeth Ridlington, Frontier Group and Dan Xie, Student PIRGs
Year: 2024 - Format: PDF

Report: National
OPEN TEXTBOOKS: The Billion Dollar Solution: Second Edition
Author: Dan Xie, The Student PIRGs
Year: 2023 - Format: PDF

Report: National
Fixing the Broken Textbook Market: Third Edition
Author: Cailyn Nagle and Kaitlyn Vitez, U.S. PIRG EDUCATION FUND
Year: 2021 - Format: PDF

Report: National
Fixing the Broken Textbook Market: Second Edition
Author: U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the Student PIRGs
Year: 2020 - Format: PDF

Report: National
Automatic Textbooks Billing: An offer students can’t refuse?
Author: U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the Student PIRGs
Year: 2020 - Format: PDF

Report: National
OPEN 101: An Action Plan for Affordable Textbooks
Author: The Student PIRGs
Year: 2018 - Format: PDF

Report: National
ACCESS DENIED: The New Face of the Textbook Monopoly
Author: The Student PIRGs
Year: 2016 - Format: PDF

Report: National
COVERING THE COST: Why We Can No Longer Afford to Ignore Textbook Prices
Author: The Student PIRGs
Year: 2016 - Format: PDF

Report: National
OPEN TEXTBOOKS: The Billion Dollar Solution
Author: The Student PIRGs
Year: 2015 - Format: PDF

Report: National
AFFORDABLE TEXTBOOKS: A Policy Guide
Author: Ethan Senack, U.S. PIRG Education Fund & the Student PIRGs
Year: 2014 - Format: PDF

Report: National
FIXING THE BROKEN TEXTBOOK MARKET: How Students Respond to High Costs and Demand Alternatives
Author: Ethan Senack, The Student PIRGs
Year: 2014 - Format: PDF

Report: National
A COVER TO COVER SOLUTION: How Open Textbooks are the Path to Textbook Affordability
Author: State Public Interest Research Groups
Year: 2010 - Format: PDF

Report: National
COURSE CORRECTION: How Digital Textbooks Are Off Track and How to Set Them Straight
Author: State Public Interest Research Groups
Year: 2008 - Format: PDF

Report: National
EXPOSING THE TEXTBOOK INDUSTRY: How Publishers’ Pricing Tactics Drive Up the Cost of College Textbooks
Author: State Public Interest Research Groups
Year: 2007 - Format: PDF

Report: National
REQUIRED READING: A Look at the Worst Publishing Tactics at Work
Author: State Public Interest Research Groups
Year: 2006 - Format: PDF

Report: National
TEXTBOOKS FOR THE 21st CENTURY: A Guide to Free and Low Cost Textbooks
Author: State Public Interest Research Groups
Year: 2006 - Format: PDF

Report: National
ACTION PLAN: A Guide to Establishing Textbook Rental Services
Author: California Student Public Interest Research Group
Year: 2005 - Format: PDF

Report: National
RIPOFF 101, 2nd EDITION: How The Publishing Industry’s Practices Needlessly Drive Up Textbook Costs
Author: State Public Interest Research Groups
Year: 2005 - Format: PDF

Report: National
LIMITED KNOWLEDGE: How The High Cost Of Academic Journals Limits Public Access To Research
Author: California Student Public Interest Research Group
Year: 2005 - Format: PDF

Report: National
RIPOFF 101: How the Current Practices of the Textbook Industry Drive Up the Cost of College Textbooks
Author: California Student Public Interest Research Group
Year: 2004 - Format: PDF