VCU news

By Pamela DiSalvo Lepley and Karen Gonsor DiScala

Virginia Commonwealth University and Barnes & Noble College Booksellers today announced a five-year contract in which Barnes & Noble will manage bookstores at VCU's Monroe Park and MCV Campuses beginning this summer.

An evaluation committee of students, staff and faculty representatives participated in the process that selected Barnes & Noble. As part of the agreement, Barnes & Noble will perform significant renovations at both campus locations. Once completed, these new stores will offer a greatly expanded selection of general reading books, magazines, gifts, and VCU clothing as well as textbooks, school supplies, computer software and accessories and reference materials.

"Along with offering a wider selection of products, Barnes & Noble will provide VCU with an advanced Web site that allows students, parents, faculty and alumni to shop 24/7," said Diane Reynolds, director of VCU Business Services. "Additionally, Barnes & Noble will launch an innovative online system that will enable students to order their books at the same time they register online for their courses."

"We are thrilled to have formed this partnership and look forward to creating knowledge centers that welcome both the university and Richmond communities," said Max J. Roberts, president, Barnes & Noble College Booksellers. "Being a highly respected research institution, and the largest university in Virginia, VCU has a tremendous impact on the lives of thousands of people. We will work with VCU to serve and educate their students."

Tapping into years of experience in the college bookstore industry, Barnes & Noble said it will provide VCU students with the largest possible selection of lower-cost used and digital textbooks. Barnes & Noble also will offer positions in its management training program to student booksellers with an interest in growing with the company.

"For us it's not just about selling textbooks," said Billy Maloney, executive vice president at Barnes & Noble. "We want to be there to help make the students' educational experience the best it can be and to become a part of the fabric of the VCU community."

Barnes & Noble College Booksellers replaces Follett Corporation, which managed the VCU Bookstores for 12 years.