Next month, Temple University’s bookstore will transition to a new provider. Follett will replace Barnes & Noble beginning Monday, June 24, 2024.

“Barnes & Noble has been a great partner for decades, and we appreciate the opportunity that we have had to work with them for so long. It has been a fruitful partnership for both parties,” said Jonathan Reiter, associate vice president of business affairs and administration. “Looking forward, we are excited to begin a new partnership with Follett, which has emerged as one of the leading providers of educational services and products to colleges and universities.”

This transition offers many advantages such as a greater variety of course materials, a broader selection of sustainable and locally sourced merchandise, more streamlined operations and innovative tools to enhance teaching and learning.

During this transition, bookstore operations will be temporarily shut down from June 8, 2024, through June 23, 2024. Both in-person and online operations will then reopen on June 24 when Follett assumes management.

The Barnes & Noble bookstores on Main Campus and the Health Sciences Center will officially close on Friday, June 7, 2024, at 4 p.m., while the website will be shut down on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at 11:59 p.m.

“We thank everyone for their patience during this transition,” said Provost Gregory N. Mandel. “While there will be temporary inconveniences, we believe this will ultimately allow us to bring a higher-quality service to our students, faculty and staff that is better in line with our world-class institution.”

The Follett bookstore will initially be located in the same spot Barnes & Noble occupied on the lower level of the Howard Gittis Student Center. In fall 2025, the bookstore will relocate to the newly renovated Paley Hall on Main Campus. This contemporary two-story bookstore space in the heart of campus will further support student success and ensure Owls have access to a wide variety of Temple gear.

“Follett is known to be a leader in the collegiate retail space, and that was another one of the drivers behind this new partnership,” said Ken Kaiser, Temple’s senior vice president and chief operating officer. “Follett will allow us to reach all key stakeholders with new, specialized apparel and merchandise, and that is something that will be further built upon in 2025 when the new store opens in Paley.”

Course material adoptions, purchases and returns

This transition won’t impact textbook adoptions or purchases of course materials for the Summer I session; however, students will return their Summer I materials to Follett at the end of the term. Returns can be made directly in the bookstore.

Between now and June 2, instructors should continue submitting adoptions through Barnes & Noble’s Adoptions and Insights Portal in TUportal or by visiting aip.bncollege.com. To ensure compliance and keep students informed, faculty are encouraged to submit Summer II and fall 2024 course material orders by May 31 using the Barnes & Noble Adoptions and Insights Portal.

When the Follett store opens on June 24, instructors will then submit adoptions and students will purchase course materials through a new system called Follett Discover, which will be available on TUportal and Canvas. Training materials will be available shortly.

Please visit Temple’s bookstore transition website for more information about the change to Follett from Barnes & Noble and the process for textbook and course material adoptions and purchases.