The costs associated with education outpace inflation every year, more than doubling it over the past 20 years. The latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics calculate that school expenditures from all funding sources topped $400 billion for the 2006-2007 school year. Only 3% of these expenditures are earmarked for instructional materials, including textbooks. For decades, school districts have saved money by providing students with used books, but the strategy is particularly relevant today. Escalating book prices combined with the economy's effect on funding are driving interest in more affordable learning materials. As a result, the demand for pre-owned textbooks is increasing as schools struggle to provide the books their students need as economically as possible. Buying used textbooks and selling unwanted books are two strategies for dealing with the current lack of education funding. Students get the books they need, and the district can operate more efficiently in a challenging economic climate.