By Anthony Krim II
A stand-alone Barnes and Noble bookstore is on its way to Fifth Avenue at Youngstown State University, scheduled to open during the 2017-18 school year.
The university heard bids and presentations from multiple companies before deciding to choose Barnes and Noble for the stand-alone store. Student Government President Tyler Miller-Gordon said YSU students played a role in the decision and continue to do so as the project develops.
“Gabriella Gessler represented the student input in this process,” Miller-Gordon said. “From here, there is a team of individuals, from YSU and Barnes and Noble, who are working to develop the aesthetic plans for the complex.”
Miller-Gordon said the new bookstore will be a great addition to the campus for students to study and socialize.
“[It will] highlight Fifth Avenue as a growing entrée towards downtown Youngstown,” Miller-Gordon said. “[The bookstore will] open up more space within Kilcawley Center in order to allow the expansion of student spaces and services and serve as a spark plug for expanding YSU’s presence in the surrounding community.”
The new bookstore will offer more than just textbooks for students, according to YSU Bookstore Manager Heather White.
“The bookstore is also a welcoming space for the local community to enjoy with a general reading section,” White said. “And community events that include author signings, VIP nights and faculty events.”
Textbook affordability is a top priority of the new store, according to White. The bookstore will work closely with faculty and administration to deliver the most affordable solutions to students.
“Prices at Barnes and Noble college-managed bookstores are very competitive with other retailers that offer textbooks and merchandise of similar quality and value,” White said. “Students will find some of the lowest prices on many of the textbooks offered at the bookstore.”
White said the books will be sold in a variety of formats, including used, new and digital.
“[The bookstore] is dedicated to helping students find the course materials they need in the format that best suits their learning style and budget,” White said.
No decision has been finalized on the future spatial use of the campus bookstore in Kilcawley Center.