Students will still be able to return rented textbooks at the end of the semester, despite the Saint Joseph’s University Bookstore remaining closed. 

Jeremy Boni, bookstore manager, wrote in an email to The Hawk that rentals can be shipped back to the bookstore at no cost via UPS. Instructions can be found on the bookstore’s website.

Boni said 13,278 units were rented during the spring semester, and students have until May 7 to return these books. 

 The coronavirus pandemic, and subsequent closure of all non-essential businesses in Pennsylvania, forced the bookstore to temporarily close for in-person sales in March. 

 “We have moved to online sales only to protect the health and well-being of our employees and customers, although we continue to serve the campus community through our website,” Boni said. 

There is no reopening date for the bookstore, Boni said. In the meantime, students may place online orders for any materials needed for the remainder of the spring semester and the upcoming summer term. 

 “We’re continuing to accept orders online for delivery, but you may experience longer shipping times due to local delays,” Boni said. “Remember to place orders as soon as possible if you need items by a certain date.

Boni said the bookstore is also offering free access to e-textbooks through its partnership with VitalSource through the remainder of the spring 2020 semester.  

 VitalSource’s program VitalSource Helps grants students and instructors free access to e-books if they have lost access to course materials.

 Boni said, as the situation evolves, the bookstore will update students on any changes that could impact them. 

 “We look forward to returning to normal operations in the future,” Boni said.