Desk copies are one of the few perqs still afforded to academics. Junior faculty may have no job security, mediocre pay, and six digits of debt from grad school, but at least they get free books!

The idea behind the desk copy is as follows. Publishers want their textbooks in classrooms, so it is worth it for them to send free "samples" to university instructors. Some publishers just blanket-bomb local universities with books; some have coupons in the backs of their catalogues inviting the reader to order an "examination copy" of a book that appeals to them; wealthier companies sometimes send sales reps to gauge an instructor's needs and to leave some books behind for consideration. In any case, their hope is that the instructors read the book, like what they see, and order more for their classes.

In this age of cost-cutting measures, desk copies are no longer guaranteed. Nowadays, several publishers send an invoice along with a copy of the book. If you adopt the book in a class (and send "proof" that you've done so through the campus bookstore), you get to keep the copy they mailed you. Otherwise, you can buy the book (usually at a discount) or send it back.

The next time you're in a professor's office and you're impressed at their book collection, keep in mind that at least three-quarters of those books are probably desk copies.

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