Gettysburg College is overhauling its bookstore operations, marking a significant change for students and faculty. The campus bookstore, previously managed by Barnes & Noble, will transition to a new partnership with University Gear Shop (UGS), shifting its focus away from textbooks and school supplies toward branded merchandise and apparel.
As part of the change, textbook sales will no longer take place in-store. Instead, students will purchase or rent course materials through eCampus, the college’s new course content provider, with shipping available to either their home address or campus mailbox. eCampus will be accessible through links in Moodle, and will offer options like e-textbooks, rental services, and price matching.
The transition also affects staffing. All current bookstore employees are being laid off, though they have the option to apply for positions with UGS or remain with Barnes & Noble at another location. The UGS team will hire student ambassadors to assist with marketing and special event pop-ups once operations begin.
In addition to changes in personnel and operations, the bookstore space itself will shrink to accommodate renovations to the College Union Ballroom. As a result, the inventory of school supplies will be significantly reduced. While a limited selection of basic items like notebooks and pens will remain, most supplies, electronics, and books are being removed.
The bookstore will close from May 19 to May 27 during the transition. When it reopens, it will operate as a retail-focused space emphasizing a wider range of merchandise at varied price points, in response to past student concerns about affordability.
Source: The Gettysburgian