Oct. 24, 2024

Dear Westminster Faculty and Staff:

We have partnered with one of the nation’s largest college bookstore operators, Barnes & Noble College (BNC), for our school’s official online bookstore. They currently serve the needs of over 6 million students nationwide. BNC Virtual was developed to help institutions like ours improve textbook services with a school-branded, course-driven website.

Student Impact

Students will be able to see which books are connected to their courses through the online bookstore once adoptions are submitted by faculty. Students will receive automatic notifications when changes are made to course adoptions. BNC offers cost-saving options for students like rentals, buyback, free shipping, used books, OER, eBooks, and more. Faculty can also continue to request that materials be available through Course Reserves at the Giovale Library.

Faculty Training

As we transition to this online model on Nov. 11, we’re offering trainings for faculty on November 12 and 14. The trainings will address how to use the Adoptions Insight Portal (AIP) which will guide faculty through selecting textbooks and connecting them with courses. Our students will then easily acquire the course materials you choose before each academic term begins.

Course Material Support

To help us manage this service going forward we’ve created a new position within the Marketing, Communication, and Events department. Starting November 4, Marie Dierman will be our Merchandise Store Manager and liaison with Barnes and Noble College. You can contact Marie for course material assistance at bookstore@westminsteru.edu starting November 4.

We look forward to this exciting opportunity to make ordering course materials easier and more affordable for our students. Continue to check the bookstore webpage for ongoing updates and additional information about the transition to Barnes & Noble College.

Sincerely,
Sheila Yorkin
Chief Communications Officer

Marie Dierman
Course Material Coordinator