Delta State University President Dr. John M. Hilpert released a statement to faculty, staff, and students on Wednesday announcing that Barnes and Noble College Booksellers will be the new operator of the Delta State campus bookstore. “I am pleased to announce that Delta State University has entered into an agreement with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers to be the operator of our campus bookstore,” said Hilpert, “Barnes & Noble brings brand excellence, a history of technology innovation, and a commitment to customer service to Delta State.” Barnes & Noble will take over the Delta State bookstore operations on March 1, 2012, pending IHL Board approval of the contract in February.
Delta State officials issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) last November and a committee representing faculty, staff, and students reviewed responses before selecting Barnes and Noble as the new bookstore operator.
“It is my hope that the selection of Barnes & Noble College Booksellers will be beneficial for the students of Delta State University,” said Dr. Vickie Webster, assistant professor of computer information systems. “The company has a proven brand and has been successful at operating college and university bookstores throughout the country. Barnes & Noble also has a very recognizable brand, and I think our campus community will be excited about some of the changes the company may implement.”
Delta State and Barnes & Noble staff will hold informational meetings with faculty, staff, and students to share the Barnes & Noble philosophy and to seek input on how to improve bookstore services.
"As a student, textbook prices are a major concern at the beginning of any school session. Barnes & Noble presents students with satisfactory textbook prices, provides customized service, and promotes technology inside and outside of the classroom,” said Student Government Association President Jeanna Wilkes, a senior from Hernando. “I am confident that Barnes & Noble College Booksellers will be committed to the Delta State community."
"Barnes & Noble College is truly excited to partner with Delta State University," said Max J. Roberts president of Barnes & Noble College. "We look forward to serving the students and faculty of this great southern university, whose deep commitment to education stretches back to its beginnings as a teacher’s college. Working closely with Delta State’s administration, faculty and students, we promise to make the bookstore an even more valuable resource for its campus.”
Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 704 bookstores in 50 states. Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, also operates 635 college bookstores serving over 4.6 million students and faculty members at colleges and universities across the United States. Barnes & Noble conducts its online business through BN.com, one of the Web’s largest e-commerce sites, which also features more than two million titles in its NOOK Bookstore.
