The University of Montevallo recently announced that it has entered into an agreement with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers to manage and operate the University’s bookstore, located in Farmer Hall. The partnership began in mid-June.

 “We’re proud of our partnership with the University of Montevallo,” said Max J. Roberts, president, Barnes & Noble College Booksellers. “Our retail excellence, outstanding customer service, and deep understanding of what students and universities need will help us transform the new bookstore into a vital part of the campus community.”

Among the services offered are:

• Seamless textbook rental and purchase process
• In-store, on campus, and online buyback kiosks
• Author tours, book fairs, readings, in-store giveaways, etc.
• Showcase of faculty publications and student art/publications
• Facebook page and social networking advertising events and promotions
• Website with online ordering, events and promotions
• Exclusive UM merchandise
• Financial aid integration
• Special ordering program to allow for small, custom orders
• E-Reading technology and other electronics in store
• Online adoptions
• Registration integration
• Course packs and custom textbooks
• Online textbook preview system with references

Administrators at the University of Montevallo welcome this new opportunity and approach.

“The Barnes & Noble team has handled countless bookstore transitions using processes and procedures that work effectively in making the change as painless as possible without undue interruptions for students and faculty,” noted James Bessette, director of university relations at the University of Montevallo. “We look forward to this partnership with Barnes & Noble and to the many benefits it will bring to the community.”

The University of Montevallo, founded in 1896, is Alabama’s only Public Liberal Arts University. At Montevallo, students receive an affordable, life-enriching, “honors college” experience that emphasizes community service and global awareness.

Barnes & Noble College, a wholly owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, Inc., operates more than 640 campus bookstores across the United States. The University of Montevallo is one of 16 higher-educational institutions that Barnes & Noble College operates in Alabama.

To view the UM Bookstore web page, visit http://montevallo.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?storeId=65214&catalogId=10001&langId=-1