YSU announces Barnes & Noble bookstore management contract | The agreement will run from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2026 with an option to renew for an additional five years.
Youngstown State University announced this morning a new agreement with Barnes & Noble College to manage the university’s bookstore, a partnership that could eventually lead to the construction of a standalone Barnes & Noble College store on campus.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Barnes & Noble College and its decades of expertise and success in the bookselling business to the YSU campus,” said Neal McNally, vice president for Operations and Finance. “We believe that Barnes & Noble College will serve to enhance the visibility of the bookstore on campus and improve the book-buying experience of our students.”
McNally said Barnes & Noble College was chosen to manage the bookstore following a national selection process that involved students, faculty and staff.
The management contract runs from June 1, 2016 to May 31, 2026, with an option to renew for an additional five years. The contract states that YSU and Barnes and Noble “shall have the right to terminate this agreement at any time by giving one hundred and twenty (120) days written notice to the other party.”
While no firm plans are in place, the agreement may also eventually mean that the bookstore, now located in Kilcawley Center, could move to a new standalone Barnes & Noble College store and café on Fifth Avenue on campus.
Meanwhile, Barnes & Noble College, which currently manages 751 campus bookstores nationwide, will manage the existing campus store, which previously was operated by the university.
Ron Cole, YSU public information officer, said bookstore employees were offered jobs with Barnes & Noble. Two staffers have retired and the manager is no longer at the campus bookstore. University bookstore staff were employed by YSU. In the section on wages and benefits, the agreement states: “Barnes & Noble shall be responsible for the wages and benefits of all of its employees at the Bookstore. Barnes & Noble has the right to set its own wages and benefits.”
Details of the management agreement can be found here.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Youngstown State University,” said Chris Peterson, vice president of Stores for Barnes & Noble College. “This partnership is a great opportunity to support student success by offering new resources that will provide students and faculty with affordable and convenient learning material options and embrace the university’s core mission and culture.”
The bookstore is planning a special Freshmen VIP event and open house for later this month. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 24.
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