Barnes & Noble College to Manage YSU Bookstore

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — 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,” Neal McNally, vice president for operations and finance, said in a statement.

“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.

While no firm plans are in place, the partnership 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, according to YSU.

In the meantime, Barnes & Noble College, which manages 751 campus bookstores nationwide, will manage the existing campus store, which previously was operated by the university.

“We’re proud to be partnering with Youngstown State University,” said Chris Peterson, vice president of stores for Barnes & Noble College, in a prepared statement. “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.”

Copyright 2024 The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.