“We have 40,000 of the best people in retail providing exemplary service to our millions of customers in our stores weekly, and their number one objective is to make sure that our customers feel great about their experience with Barnes & Noble.  The team is excited to again receive another solid customer satisfaction score in the 2011 ACSI survey,” said William Lynch, chief executive officer of Barnes & Noble.  “People think of Barnes & Noble as a community destination where they can shop for books, toys, games and gifts; relax with a snack in our café; connect to complimentary Wi-Fi®; get exclusive content on our award-winning NOOK® reading and entertainment products including NOOK Tablet™, NOOK Color™ and NOOK Simple Touch™; meet their favorite authors; and enjoy a Storytime with their children.  We are thrilled to provide our great customers those services every day, and look forward to continuing to be a part of the local communities we serve for years to come.”

According to its website, ACSI reports scores on a 0-100 scale at the national level and produces indexes for 10 economic sectors, 47 industries (including e-commerce and e-business), more than 225 companies, and over 200 federal or local government services. In addition to the company-level satisfaction scores, ACSI produces scores for the causes and consequences of customer satisfaction and their relationships. The measured companies, industries, and sectors are broadly representative of the U.S. economy serving American households.

Barnes & Noble, Inc., the world’s largest bookseller and a Fortune 500 company, operates 691 bookstores in 50 states. Barnes & Noble College, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Barnes & Noble, also operates 641 college bookstores serving over 4.6 million students and faculty members at colleges and universities across the United States.  Barnes & Noble conducts its online business through BN.com, one of the Web’s largest e-commerce sites, which also features more than two million titles in its NOOK Bookstore™.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.

“Barnes & Noble College is truly excited to partner with Delta State University,” said Max J. Roberts president of Barnes & Noble College. “We look forward to serving the students and faculty of this great southern university, whose deep commitment to education stretches back to its beginnings as a teacher’s college. Working closely with Delta State’s administration, faculty and students, we promise to make the bookstore an even more valuable resource for its campus.”

Located in Cleveland, Mississippi, Delta State University is a public institution providing a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum to over 4,000 students from 34 states and 20 countries. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and offers 12 baccalaureate degrees in 38 majors and seeks to meet the need for advanced training by providing programs of study for nine master’s degrees, the Educational Specialist degree and the Doctor of Education degree.

“I am pleased to announce that Delta State University has entered into an agreement with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers to be the operator of our campus bookstore,” said Delta State University President Dr. John Hilpert in a press release. “Barnes & Noble brings brand excellence, a history of technology innovation, and a commitment to customer service to Delta State.

With its beginnings as a teacher’s college, the University sustains excellence in teacher education while continuing to expand offerings in traditional as well as unique programs of study.

“It is my hope that the selection of Barnes & Noble College will be beneficial for the students of Delta State University,” said Dr. Vickie Webster, assistant professor of computer information systems. “The company has a proven brand and has been successful at operating college and university bookstores throughout the country.”

New Cost-Saving Offerings

The bookstore will continue to sell clothing, supplies, gifts and sundries. In addition, a number of new and innovative services focused on delivering cost savings and convenience will be introduced to students. Under the terms of the contract, Delta State students will now have access to:

• In-store and online textbook rentals – For the first time, students will have the option of renting textbooks either online or in the bookstore. Students opting for textbook rentals will save more than 50 percent over the cost of a new printed book and can pay for rental fees by using cash, check, credit, or student financial aid.
• Rapidly expanding selection of eTextbooks – In addition to offering savings of up to 60 percent over new printed books, Barnes & Noble’s revolutionary and free NOOK Study™ application serves up eTextbooks in an engaging format that enhances the overall learning experience.
• Generous cash-for-books program – Students with books that faculty plan to reuse next semester will be eligible for a 50 percent cash payout, up to needed inventories.
• Registration Integration – A user-friendly Registration Integration system allows students to reserve and order textbooks immediately after they register for courses online, automatically populating carts with the right books for the right class and making the purchasing process more convenient than ever.

Barnes & Noble College has also taken a leadership position in the use of social media to connect with students. The Delta State University bookstore will have its own locally managed Facebook page, Foursquare promotions, and an innovative word-of-mouth marketing program to help keep students connected to bookstore products, services, and special events.

Barnes & Noble is proud to partner with Delta State University. We operate more than 630 campus bookstores across the United States for such prestigious institutions as Harvard, Mississippi State University, and Tidewater Community College, including 8 in the state of Mississippi.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.

The survey, The American Freshman: National Norms Fall 2011, which studied students’ high school academic habits, revealed a higher percentage of students did homework, took notes in class and took more advanced courses as high school seniors. Students also reported that they partied less, drank less alcohol, and showed up for class on time. Because of these trends and other findings, researchers conclude that this year’s freshman class stands a better chance of succeeding academically.

With continued worries about college costs and employment, the overall depiction of this year’s freshmen class may reflect “the increased complexity of going to college during a recession,” says John Pryor, director of UCLA’s Cooperative Institutional Research Program, which has conducted the study since 1966. “What we’re seeing, perhaps, is a little more (seriousness about) what you’re called to do in college.”

Three-Year Trend

Over the past three years, an increasing number of students have said “getting a better job” was their top reason for attending college, followed by a desire “to learn more about things that interest me,” which formerly held the top spot for the first half of the past decade.

Other findings include:

• 71% said they had taken at least one Advanced Placement (AP) course, up from 67.9% in 2009, and those who had taken five or more AP courses increased from 18.7% to 21.7% in that same period.
• 39.5% reported spending six or more hours a week studying or doing homework as high school seniors, up from 34.7% in 2009 and 37.3% in 2010. That figure has been increasing since 2005, when a record-low 31.9% said they spent six or more hours studying.
• 69.2% said they frequently took notes during class as high school seniors, up from 66.5% in 2009 and 67% in 2010. Also, 36.4% reported being frequently bored in class, down from 38.6% in 2009 and 39.2% in 2010.

The results of this survey, conducted last fall, are based on the responses of nearly 204,000 first-time, full-time college students at 270 colleges and universities nationwide. It also found that fewer students received scholarships and that the number of those receiving scholarships of $10,000 or more had also dropped.

To read this survey in its entirety, visit www. heri.ucla.edu.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.

Days are shorter and the weather is a bit colder, so why not take a winter break from studying and learn a new make-up trick or two from America’s favorite cosmetics brand – COVERGIRL®?

Beginning this week, COVERGIRL professional make-up artists will be at select Barnes & Noble College bookstores to introduce their latest products and help coeds find that fresh new look with free makeovers. And, now through February 15, all COVERGIRL cosmetics will be on sale at 15% off at all of our campus bookstores nationswide.

Free Makeovers

COVERGIRL make-up artists will be on the following university campuses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

February 1                    Florida International University – FIU Bookstore (Recharge U)

February 7                    Rutgers – Busch Campus Convenience Store

February 8                    University of South Carolina Bookstore and University of Baltimore Market Place

Our bookstores feature a fantastic selection of COVERGIRL cosmetics, including their most popular items: Lash Blast mascara, Clean Makeup foundation, Outlast All-Day Lipcolor and Classic Color Blush in “Rose Silk” and “Soft Mink.” In select stores, we also carry the Queen Collection, which features rich colors created to match darker skin tones.

Since 1961, the COVERGIRL brand has been a pioneer in celebrating women’s inner and outer beauty, and their drive to look and be their best selves. The current list of famous COVERGIRLs includes Taylor Swift, Queen Latifah, Rihanna, and Drew Barrymore. Stop by your campus Barnes & Noble College bookstore and look for the COVERGIRL display to create your easy, breezy, beautiful look this winter.

Visit covergirl.com for more information on COVERGIRL’s extensive line of products that are perfect for women of every age.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.

“Today’s students spend an average of $23 a week at a variety of places for a quick bite to eat and other convenience items,” said Lisa Shapiro, Director, Café & Convenience for Barnes & Noble College. “It can be difficult for students to stick to a standard meal time, so convenience is paramount. Recharge U is the perfect solution for that busy lifestyle.”

Convenience Built Expressly For Your Students

Recharge U is a stand-alone convenience store recently introduced at a handful of our larger campuses, including Florida International University (FIU) and Rice University. Built for your students, Recharge U includes the products that fit their particular lifestyle. Students can choose from a wide selection of fresh and packaged foods and drinks, including premium hot coffees and teas, organic and natural offerings, energy snacks, tasty ethnic fare and more. But it’s about much more than just food; our Recharge U stores also include:

• Enticing, frequently rotating items – food, beverage, health & beauty products and more – all at a great price.
• Digital TV screens that broadcast special deals, students’ favorite programs, new items and the day’s events on stations like CNN or MTV.
• Special events banners that change frequently throughout the year and point out special deals and items related to those events.
• School colors and logo used as accents to personalize your store and bring in school spirit.
• A Quick Fix station providing an array of condiments for customizing a quick snack or beverage.

Recharge U serves the needs of students’ increasingly hectic lifestyles and gives them the opportunity to grab a healthful and more substantial snack on the go. It’s been an immediate success on campuses where it’s been piloted and Barnes & Noble is exploring offering the program to other large campus communities.

In-Store Convenience Concept to Fit Your School

We also have a customizable convenience concept for mid-to-smaller campuses as well. Located within the four walls of the existing bookstore, we offer beverages, fresh and freshly prepared foods, grab-and-go options, and a growing list of choices like gluten-free, organic, and international foods – all tailored to fit the size and tastes of each campus.

We also have regular in-store product sample stations set up from an array of food and beverage vendors – offering students free samples of the snacks, drinks and foods they love most.

So, whether students are seeking some tasty fare or a quick pick me up before study group, we satisfy their cravings with the right products at the right price with our convenience offerings.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.

Bill Cosby and the Barnes & Noble at Rowan University bookstore staff at the book signing event for, "I Didn't Ask to Be Born." Photo by Curtis Brown

Comedy legend Bill Cosby recently made an appearance at the Barnes & Noble at Rowan University bookstore to sign copies of his latest book, I Didn’t Ask to Be Born, (but I’m Glad I Was). The Philadelphia native was in Glassboro, N.J. as the guest speaker for Rowan University’s 26th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Breakfast earlier that morning. Sponsored by the Rowan University Foundation to honor Dr. King’s achievements and legacy, the event benefits the William H. Myers Scholarship Endowment Fund, which provides financial support for high-achieving minority students.

First Comedy Book in a Decade

Later that day, America’s favorite funnyman, wearing a gold and brown Rowan sweatshirt emblazoned with the words “Hello Friend,” signed copies of his latest book. The shirt was a tribute to the Hello Friend/Ennis William Cosby Foundation that he and his wife Camille established in memory of their late son.

Cosby’s book, according to the publisher, is a spot-on “hilarious new collection of observations that brings us more of his wonderful and wacky insights into the human condition that are sure to become a classic.” The book signing attracted almost 400 fans who waited patiently in line to meet Cosby and get an autographed copy of his book.

“We really lucked out,” said bookstore manager John Styles. “We knew that Bill Cosby was going to speak at the MLK breakfast, so it was a thrill to have him make an appearance at the store for a book signing. Bill couldn’t have been nicer and it ended up being a great day.”

Comedy Icon Has Done it All

Best known as the lovable Dr. Huxtable from the defining 1980s sitcom, “The Cosby Show,” Cosby’s successful career spans five decades in virtually all media. The comedian, actor, producer, author, educator, musician, and activist has done it all. 

Cosby, who holds a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts, has received more than a dozen honorary degrees from American colleges and universities. In 2002, he received the prestigious Presidential Medal of Freedom and, in 2009, he accepted the 12th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

A philanthropist, Cosby generously supports educational, social service and civil rights organizations.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.

• Prestigious institutions will launch online experiences designed to be as unique as those available to students on campus
• “Dynamic and flexible learning experience engines” will emerge to replace learning management systems (LMS)
• Tablets will surge as a means of delivering courses and e-learning media.

“I think 2012 will see an expansion of a variety of ways of getting access to the materials that students need for learning,” said Karen Cator, the United States Department of Education’s director of technology. Some of these trends are not new to colleges and universities, but they are becoming much more visible and embedded in the higher education experience, including:

1. E-Textbooks in 2012- Frank Ganis, a general partner at Gilfus, said he believes 2012 will be a banner year for digital textbooks on college and university campuses.
2. Open Resources – The California Senate is currently considering a bill that would push schools toward using open education resources in the form of free online textbooks for the state’s 3 million college students as a means of saving them money.
3. The Online Classroom – Textbooks won’t be the only educational resource that we will see online in 2012. Online classrooms will continue to grow in popularity.
4. Mobile Devices- Mobile devices will continue to grow on college and university campuses as more and more students access online lectures and other learning resources with their smartphones or tablets.
5. Campuses Move to the Cloud – With so many resources and learning opportunities moving online, and pressed by the need to reduce IT infrastructure costs, more and more campuses will take advantage of the benefits provided by cloud technologies.

Read the Gilfus Education Group report in its entirety for more information.

Founded in 1914, Dunwoody College of Technology is a private, not-for-profit, endowed institution of higher education offering associates and bachelor’s degrees as well as a variety of certificate and diploma programs in automotive, computer technology, design and graphics, and health sciences technology. It is the oldest institution of its kind in the Upper Midwest, with an international reputation for outstanding educational programs. It is also the only non-profit, technical college in the Upper Midwest and one of only three nationwide.

With an enrollment of 1,400 students, programs are job-oriented and the learning environment fosters the qualities employers seek: productivity, self-discipline, confidence, teamwork, a positive attitude toward productivity, and an appreciation for a job well done.

Barnes & Noble operates more than 630 campus bookstores across the United States for such prestigious institutions as Georgia Tech, Indiana University, and Kentucky Community & Technical College System, including six in the state of Minnesota.

We promise unmatched retail excellence and deliver the next-generation of educational content. Is your bookstore a Barnes & Noble College bookstore? Visit bncollege.com to see a listing of our newest college partners.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.

Barnes & Noble, Inc

“Barnes & Noble customers are generous every year and this holiday season certainly was no exception.  Children who are less fortunate unwrapped many books this year thanks to the thoughtfulness of Barnes & Noble customers,” said Sarah DiFrancesco, Director of Community Relations for Barnes & Noble.  “This holiday tradition is a wonderful way for booksellers and customers to come together and give the gift of reading to children in their local communities.”

Community partners who have already begun distributing the books collected by Barnes & Noble booksellers include schools, libraries, and social service organizations. Local recipients include Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital in New York, Motts Children’s Hospital in Michigan, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Utah Foster Care Foundation, the Domestic Violence Center of Santa Clarita, the Minnesota Literacy Council, Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin, Head Start of Western Pennsylvania, Durham’s Partnership for Children, the United Way of Baton Rouge, Charlotte Emergency Housing, and many other deserving organizations.

The annual Barnes & Noble Holiday Book Drive invites customers to purchase books for donations at Barnes & Noble bookstores all across the country between November 1, 2011 and January 1, 2012.

Visit bncnews.com every week for more news and updates.