What Is Follett and How Does It Work in College Bookstores? đź“š
If you're a student, parent, or educator, you've likely heard the name Follett mentioned in connection with college textbooks and course materials. But what exactly is Follett, and what role does it play in how students buy and rent books? Understanding this company and its services can help you navigate textbook costs and sourcing more effectively.
The Core Business: What Follett Does
Follett is one of the largest textbook and educational materials distributors in North America. It operates as a wholesaler and retailer that connects publishers, college bookstores, and students. Think of Follett as a middleman that manages the flow of textbooks and course materials from publishers down to the campus level—and increasingly, directly to students.
The company doesn't create textbooks; it buys them from publishers and redistributes them through multiple channels. This includes:
- Physical college bookstores on campuses (many of which Follett owns or operates directly)
- Online ordering systems for textbook rental and purchase
- Wholesale supply to independent bookstores
- Direct-to-student digital and print services
Most college students encounter Follett through their campus bookstore, even if they don't realize it. The company operates or manages bookstores at thousands of colleges and universities across the United States and Canada.
How Follett Operates Within College Bookstores
The Bookstore Connection
Many college bookstores are not independently owned—they're operated by Follett or similar educational retail companies under contract with the university. Even when a bookstore displays the college's name and branding, the back-end operations, inventory management, pricing, and logistics may all be handled by Follett.
This affects how textbooks are sourced and priced. Follett decides:
- Which editions to stock and in what quantities
- Rental versus purchase options available
- Return policies for students
- Which used or alternative formats to offer
Because Follett operates at scale across many campuses, it can negotiate bulk pricing from publishers—but that savings doesn't always flow directly to students. The company marks up materials to cover operating costs and generate revenue.
The Textbook Rental Model
One of Follett's most visible offerings is textbook rental programs. Rather than purchasing a $200 textbook outright, students can rent it for a semester at a fraction of the cost. Follett manages the logistics: collecting rented books after the semester, inspecting them, and either rerenting or selling them as used copies.
This model benefits some students significantly, but whether it's a good deal depends on:
- How long you keep the book. Rental makes sense for a single semester; buying used might be cheaper if you keep it longer.
- The book's resale value. Some textbooks hold their value; others depreciate quickly.
- Whether you need to keep the book. Reference books or materials for your major might be worth owning.
Follett's Digital and Online Services
Beyond physical bookstores, Follett operates digital platforms where students can research, purchase, and rent textbooks online. These platforms often include:
- ISBN lookup tools to find the exact edition you need
- Price comparisons between new, used, rental, and digital options
- Rental and return management for home delivery
- Digital textbook access through Follett's e-reader platforms or third-party partners
The availability of these options varies by school and by textbook. Not every title is available in every format, and not every format is available through Follett's systems.
The Economics: Why Follett Matters to Pricing
Understanding Follett's role helps explain why textbook prices are what they are.
The publishing-to-student pipeline works like this:
- Publishers set a suggested retail price for new textbooks (often $100–$300+).
- Follett buys these books from publishers at wholesale rates (typically 20–40% off retail).
- College bookstores (operated by Follett or others) price these books for students, adding their own margin.
- Students pay the final retail price or opt for rental, used, or alternative formats.
Follett's size gives it negotiating power with publishers—but it also means Follett has incentive to keep textbook prices high. The company's revenue depends on the markup between wholesale and retail prices. A lower final price to students means lower revenue for Follett.
This is why students often find the same textbook cheaper on third-party sites like Amazon or AbeBooks than through their college bookstore—those retailers operate on different margin structures and may source inventory differently.
Alternatives to Follett-Operated Bookstores
Independent Bookstores
Some colleges contract with independent bookstore operators or allow students to source materials outside the official bookstore. These alternatives may offer:
- Different pricing strategies
- Used and rental options from other suppliers
- More flexibility on returns
Direct Publisher and Third-Party Platforms
Students can also buy directly from:
- Publishers' websites
- Online retailers (Amazon, Chegg, eBay)
- Library reserves and rental services
- Open Educational Resources (OER) and free textbook initiatives
Follett competes with these options, but its campus presence and bookstore contracts give it a significant advantage in volume and discoverability.
Key Variables That Affect Your Experience
Whether using Follett bookstores or services, several factors influence your outcome:
| Factor | How It Matters |
|---|---|
| Textbook edition | Older editions cost less but may have different problem sets or page numbers. |
| Format choice | New, used, rental, and digital typically have different price points and flexibility. |
| Timing | Buying early in the semester is usually pricier than waiting; buying late may mean limited stock. |
| Return deadlines | Most bookstores have strict policies on when you can return rentals or used books. |
| Your college's contract | Not all Follett-operated bookstores offer the same services or selection. |
What You Need to Know Before Making Decisions
If you're deciding whether to buy, rent, or explore alternatives:
- Check what formats are available through your college bookstore first (to understand your baseline options).
- Compare prices and policies across multiple sources—Follett's prices aren't always the lowest.
- Read rental terms carefully, including damage policies and late return fees.
- Consider whether you'll need the book after the semester (for future classes, reference, or resale value).
- Ask your professors whether older editions or open-source alternatives are acceptable.
If you're concerned about textbook costs:
- Many colleges have textbook assistance programs or partnerships with libraries to help students access materials affordably.
- Some professors build open educational resources into their courses to reduce costs.
- Follett and other bookstores sometimes offer price-match guarantees—ask if your store does.
The Bottom Line
Follett is a major player in college textbook distribution, and it likely operates your campus bookstore whether you realize it or not. Its size and scale make it efficient at managing inventory and logistics, but it also means the company has economic incentives that don't always align with keeping student costs low.
Understanding how Follett fits into the textbook supply chain helps you make more informed decisions about where to source materials and what options might work best for your situation. But the right choice—whether to buy, rent, or seek alternatives—depends entirely on your specific courses, budget, and how long you'll use each book.