Virtual Campus Bookstore

In today’s digital world, consumers are favoring online shopping experiences more than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. Many brick-and-mortar stores are evaluating their business strategies in order to meet these demands.

Similarly, we have evaluated our own strategy for an on-campus bookstore and together with Follett, our current partner, we have decided to move the operation to a fully virtual format via the Follett Virtual Campus Bookstore. All of your shopping needs will be handled 24/7 by visiting https://www.bkstr.com/saintpetersstore. Textbooks, course material, apparel, gifts and more will be available for sale and you can expect the same excellent customer service that you are accustomed to receiving.

The benefits of a Follett Virtual Campus Bookstore include:

• Comprehensive course materials: Access to traditional texts, plus the best of digital and emerging technologies
• Unrivaled publisher network: Follett maintains deep and long-lasting relationships with more than 7,000 publishers
• Cost-effectiveness: Schools that use a Follett Virtual Campus bookstore have seen improved ROI (return on investment) and operating efficiencies

Thursday, February 25 will be the last day of operations for the on-campus bookstore. The store is currently holding a 50% off sale on all imprinted items in stock. Please know that all active gift cards, regardless of when purchased, can be used in the on-campus bookstore until February 25 and then will be accepted online.

I am sure that this shift may invite some questions, primarily about the intended future use of the large space that the bookstore currently occupies on the first floor of the Mac Mahon Student Center. This prime space has a myriad of exciting options for future use, many of which are already being vetted and discussed by University leadership. While some potential plans are being evaluated, we would like to hear from our community, too. What would you like to see occupy that space? Please send your ideas to ideas@saintpeters.edu.

Amidst considering various space utilization opportunities, we are also exploring avenues to eventually have some “spirit wear” (e.g. t-shirts, hats, bumper stickers) merchandise available for purchase on campus as well.

We have been assured by the Follett team that this will be a seamless transition for all students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Please visit saintpeters.edu/bookstore to view FAQs as well as Online Ordering Instructions. Follet’s customer service team is also available by calling (888) 621-4088.

We are excited to move forward with this new virtual partnership with Follett and know that all of your bookstore needs will be seamlessly met.

Sincerely,

Paul Ciraulo
Vice President for Finance and Business