Less Blood, Sweat, Tears in Store For Book Hunters, Dealers Predict

Reappearance next month of the same block-long lines and empty shelves that plagued book-hunting students last September is regarded as improbable by three local book vendors despite the shortage of many volumes and, in the case of two of the stores, current failure of approximately 25 percent of the University professors to submit book lists.

Midyear demands for texts are always fewer than September requirements, merchants disclosed, for in many courses volumes purchased in the fell are used during both semesters.

In addition, Spring influx of first-term and returning students, who normally put the greatest strain on available supplies, is expected to be comparatively small. University Hall predicted the arrival in February of 385 additional veterans and 198 new freshmen.

Book Lists Speed Supply

Spokesmen at Phillips Book Store and the Harvard Book Store emphasized widespread shortages, but asserted that if lists are in their hands early enough, they can make wider contacts in an effort to track down hard-to-get volumes. They pointed out that used book marts throughout the nation, as well as the country's publishing houses, can supply many volumes if informed in time. Both agreed that to date they had received book lists from about 75 percent of the professors at the University.

Distribution at the Coop will be streamlined to meet the February business, which, although not so great as the onslaught in September, will be "from 30 to 40 percent" greater than in an ordinary month. All college texts will be concentrated in the main book department. while Law School volumes will be relegated to a special section elsewhere. The two lengthy lines that posed such obstcles to September buyers will be incorporated into one which will lead into the back of the store. All three stores will employ extra help to handle the rush.

Texts are coming in at the present time faster than at any other time since the end of the war, Coop sources disclosed. Phillips Books Store predicted, however, that supply would not meet demand for at least another year and a half