Delaney Briggs, ‘26, pictured working at the textbook and book swap event she organized. LAILI SHAHRESTANI / THE QUADRANGLE
Laili Shahrestani, Features Editor
On Sept. 3, the Student Government Association (SGA) held a textbook swap tabling event on the quad, with a goal to bring the campus community together and make knowledge more accessible. Students were encouraged to donate any new or used books they may have lying around, and exchange them for another that they could use for a class or even personal reading.
Delaney Briggs, a senior and vice president of academic affairs, was the organizer of the swap event. She spoke with The Quadrangle regarding her motive behind hosting the event, and why she thinks it’s beneficial for Jaspers to participate in it.
“The goal here is definitely to help students with the cost of textbooks, because they’re getting so expensive,” Briggs said. “And we have so many old textbooks, so we thought it would be a great idea to do a swap. Just bring an old textbook and get a new one for whatever your class might be, instead of spending, you know, $100 to $200 on a textbook that you’re going to use for a few months and then get rid of.”
The textbook swap went on for almost two hours, with a variety of books to choose from. Many students stopped by the table to take a look at what options were being offered. With the abundance of books on the table, Briggs went on to speak about how instead of letting old books collect dust, she wanted to create this event to put them to good use. She also spoke about how she is planning to hold this same event next semester, and hopes it will continue on after she graduates.
“I came up with this idea because there’s always so many books just lying around,” Briggs said. “It’s a way to academically help the student body as best we can. I’m hoping to make this an annual thing, and do this again next spring when people get their new classes. I’m hoping it’ll live on after I graduate.”
Amanda Sanchez, a sophomore English major, was one of the many Jaspers who stopped by the swap to exchange an item. Not only was she able to get rid of old books that she was no longer using, but she also picked up a new novel that she’s excited to read.
“I picked up ‘The Yellow Wallpaper’,” Sanchez said. “Honestly, it stood out to me because it just looked really interesting, and as an English major, I really like older literature.”
Sanchez went on to speak about how the event was beneficial to not only herself, but the entire student body. She spoke to The Quadrangle in regards to what motivated her to attend the event.
“I came here today, honestly, because I had books that I had to get rid of that I couldn’t sell anywhere else because they were very specific or old editions,” Sanchez said. “And I think that this event benefits students in many ways. Especially financially, because textbooks cost a lot of money, and so this event is helpful for getting the books you need for your classes.”
Lucas Haas, senior class vice president, joined Briggs in working at the event, encouraging students to stop by and participate. Haas spoke to The Quadrangle about student feedback he received, as well as the turnout of the event and its fate for the future.
“Students saw our table and some mentioned that next semester or next year they’ll come back, and drop books off, or see what else we have next time,” Haas said. “So, there definitely is a lot of interest in what we’re doing, and people are kind of curious why it’s never been done before. We’re glad to be doing it.”
Briggs shared how the event had the overall intention to do something good for other people, and showcase what it means to be a Lasallian university.
“This event definitely represents our Lasallian values,” Briggs said. “It’s the act of giving and just trying to do good for the student body.”