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RNZ News
11-08-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
University students turn to digital textbooks: 'Pretty much everything is online'
Some students say stock is running low at UBIQ. Photo: Ke-Xin Li Last month, the University of Auckland's bookstore UBIQ announced it was in liquidation, citing a decline in student population amid a cost of living crisis . But with the University's full time numbers increasing by over 1500 students between 2018 and 2023, is digital learning killing textbooks and textbook retailers ? Students say the shop's closure is a sign of the times. "It's kind of surprising, but I suppose the shift towards virtual learning has added to that, there's not much emphasis on textbooks, which is an odd future," said Marlo, a fourth-year psychology student who completes the majority of his coursework digitally. He said the last time he visited UBIQ was last year to buy fantasy books. Wiley, one of the largest textbook publishers, noted in its 2024 annual report a decrease in print sales but an uptake in the purchase of its digital services. And that was backed up by students across Auckland University's campus. "Largely I don't buy textbooks for money reasons. I'm a poor uni student living off pennies, so if I can get a virtual textbook I probably will because they are cheaper," Marlo added. Second year law and commerce student Natalie has never visited UBIQ. "Pretty much everything is online, they [the lecturers] give it to you and you can access it online. I don't have any textbooks. Everything is downloaded to my iPad." First year student Annabelle, who has a required textbook for her course this semester, lamented paying over a hundred dollars for a physical copy. "I bought the textbook The globalization of world politics: an introduction to international relations . It was $111. (I feel) really sad, and really poor. I don't usually spend that much money on things, this is probably the most expensive thing I bought this year." She said there were no free online versions, and it cost a similar amount to borrow the e-book as to buy it. "They basically give you a code to access an e-book for a year. To loan it, it was $80 for a year, so I thought might as well just buy it." On the first day of the second semester, UBIQ is full of students buying coursebooks, textbooks and some are looking to buy fiction. Photo: Ke-Xin Li While many students worked digitally with no need for pen or paper, those who did buy stationery said they rarely bought it on campus. Marlo bought his pens and highlighters from Daiso, where he said it was cheaper. Annabelle bought her pens from MUJI and her exercise books from Warehouse Stationery. And, as the store entered its final weeks of trading, stock was running low. Finn, a first year law and economics student who preferred pen and paper, walked out of UBIQ disappointed. "They are out of stock [of] the coursebook I need, so not much I can do about that. I'm hoping they are going to get it back in stock before they close it down." Alison, who is completing a masters in engineering also did not find what she needed. "I wanted to buy some notebooks. But there's nothing right now. The one I wanted they didn't have any in stock. And the price is a bit high here as well so it's better to go into the CBD and get something." The bookstore was expected to remain open until 31 August, with the directors still hopeful someone may buy the business. Rachel Mason-Thomas, UBIQ's liquidator, said there had been a good level of interest from potential buyers with an outcome expected around the end of August. Mason-Thomas said preferential and secured creditors would be paid in full, with a good likelihood of a distribution to unsecured creditors. She said they had received nearly half of the expected unsecured creditor claims - which included gift vouchers and trade creditors - and called for outstanding claims to be submitted. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
08-07-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Why are our university bookshops closing?
education books 27 minutes ago Last week it was announced the University of Auckland's campus bookshop, UBIQ, will close. In 2023 the Victoria University shop Vic Books also closed after nearly 50 years in business. Not only do these stores help stock students with textbooks, but they can also act as social hubs on campus. So, what are students missing out on without a bookshop on campus? And do we need to do more to support booksellers?
