If anything could best define the beginning of a new academic year for students, it is the dreaded wait in the long lines. Whether outside Mrak or Dutton Hall, the ASUCD Book Exchange Tent, or any lecture hall or classroom, blocks of students seemingly wait for hours. All this can be pretty hectic for any incoming student who's not yet accustomed to the waiting. However, thanks to the UC Davis Bookstore textbook reservation service, students had one less line to stand in this fall.

This service allowed incoming and transfer students to order their textbooks online through the bookstore's Web site during the summer and then pick up their books at the beginning of fall quarter. Bookstore staff pre-assembled all individual orders and reserved rooms in the Memorial Union specifically for handling pickups. As a result, new students got their fall quarter books without having to face the crowds and lengthy lines that usually develop at the bookstore.

"There was virtually no wait. We had 8-10 people distributing the orders. [The books] were prepaid, so nothing was rung up at the time of pickup," says Kathy Spurr, the Bookstore's Book Division manager. "Ninety-five percent of the customers were able to walk in and pick up their books immediately. At most, five waited a few minutes. The timing for picking up orders worked out beautifully for the customers."

This year, more than 2,900 students participated, a jump from 1,600 just a year ago when the program was first unveiled. One notable improvement this year was the ability for students to have their orders billed to their university accounts, rather than having to pay with a credit card. "Previously, we took only credit card payments," says Spurr. "This year, because they were able to, most of the students chose to be billed using their student account."

Students and parents first learned about the textbook reservation service during Summer Advising, when they were given a chance to order their books. Order forms were also mailed directly to all incoming freshmen and transfer students.

While marketed to incoming and transfer students, textbook reservation is open to all students and will be available again next fall. Because of the labor-intensive nature of the program, the service is offered only during fall quarter. "Unfortunately, as much as we would like to, the timing just does not permit us to offer the program in other quarters," says Spurr.

"It's one less thing for students and their parents to worry about. It's fast and easy, and there is no extra cost or risk involved," says Spurr. For more information, visit the Bookstore online at http://ucdbookstore.ucdavis.edu/. Click on "Textbooks," then "Textbook Reservations."