Students drop hundreds of dollars on textbooks every semester,

but this year, students are spending less time at Ames’ two

bookstores – even if they aren’t spending any less money.

Todd Thompson, junior in mechanical engineering, breezed in

and out of the University Book Store within a half an hour, which he

said is much quicker than his book-buying spree last

semester.

“I got lucky, I think,” Thompson said.

He threw down $357.17. He still has to go back after his next

class to get another book.

Others were surprised by the short lines as well.

Ryan Wadle, senior in history and political science, made it

through the quick-moving queue in 12 minutes.

“I had two hours to burn, and I figured I could waste most of the

time here,” he said. “Now I’ll have to find something else to

do.”

Wadle left the store 14 books – and one workbook – richer and

$455.69 lighter on his feet.

Books in hand, he grabbed a free book of coupons and headed

back to campus.

Campus Book Store was similar. Lines were contained to the

aisles. For part of the day there was no wait.

Brad Arndorfer, freshman in agricultural engineering, left the

Campus Book Store at 5:45 p.m. without facing any lines.

“They said (register) four, and I went right through,” Arndorfer said.

“I just grabbed my stuff, paid and left.”

Lynette Seymour, University Book Store general manager, said the

extra employees and new technologies are speeding things up

and making the experience more convenient.

University Book Store has added 13 more registers for busy days

and hired several temporary employees to run the machines,

Seymour said.

She said the goal of the extra help during prime book-buying

season is to make the students’ experiences as hassle-free as

possible.

“We try to have an employee in every aisle,” she said. “So far,

they’re holding up pretty well.”

Kara Olsen, senior in early childhood education, is one of those

employees.

“We get a lot of questions, `Where do I find this book?,’ and `Do

you have any books stocked in the back,’ but we’re only really busy

for about 15 minutes of each hour,” she said.

For the next two weeks, Seymour said, exchanges will be accepted

“no questions asked” so long as students bring their receipts.