Buying textbooks from a college bookstore is the way most people remember getting their texts, now its beginning to change.

The University of Wisconsin announced today a new pilot program that allows students to access free electronic textbooks.

Bruce Maas with UW Madison says, "Technology has advanced to such a significant level that this is the perfect point in time to be doing a pilot."

The program still in it's testing phase uses courseload.com to access textbooks, allowing students to carry class materials on any mobile device.

"We see this applying to all devices, we believe students should choose which device they're using," said Maas.

Today's announcement comes the same day Apple unveiled their iBook service, which also has a textbook component. A trend students say they would be open too.

"I guess on the whole, it's a nice thing because their generally cheaper and their lighter," said Elise Swanson a UW Madison student.

With technology being the trend, University Bookstore employee, Don Helley says he doesn't disagree with the E-Book transition.

"I'd buy the book, it's cheap or it's free. I don't know exactly what their charging but it's going to be a lot less then a physical book," said Helley.

Students at the Madison campus spend a little more than 1,000 dollars on books and supplies per year. Officials are hoping this pilot program will cut costs for students in the future.