By Aaliyah Pamplin
UNC Pembroke has entered a new era for its campus bookstore, selecting Barnes & Noble College as its new provider. The transition from Follett Higher Education to Barnes & Noble College was completed in July 2025. The company now oversees all bookstore operations, including textbooks, course materials, spirit wear, and supplies.
The bookstore is still receiving inventory, according to staff member Cristale Calahand. “We’re slowly getting books in. The shelves are starting to fill up, and if someone wants a used book, they can order one,” Calahand said. “Shipments come in every day—it’s about getting what we need right now. Once everything is in place, it will be a lot smoother.”
Store hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays.
This fall marks Barnes & Noble College’s first full semester at UNCP, and the company is working to understand student needs.
“Barnes & Noble needs to understand the volume of books our students are buying and then gauge their prices based on that,” said Gabriel Eszterhas, vice chancellor for Finance and Administration.
When asked if book costs will increase for students, Eszterhas said, “We are ultimately hopeful here that it will be somewhat less for our students.”
However, Eszterhas noted that pricing depends on publishers and the bookstore, so UNCP has no direct control over costs.
Barnes & Noble College operates more than 770 college and university bookstores nationwide. At UNCP, the company will manage textbook rentals, digital and print options, and merchandise sales. While prices are expected to remain similar to previous years, the team is still assessing costs.
“I don’t think that it will be much of a change, but I am not sure of the price before,” Calahand said when asked about material costs.
The decision to select Barnes & Noble College followed a formal request for proposals launched in fall 2024. A committee of students, faculty, staff, and administrators reviewed several bids before selecting Barnes & Noble.
Most bookstore employees are UNCP students, and Barnes & Noble plans to continue offering student employment opportunities.
Even though Barnes & Noble College won the contract, Eszterhas expressed appreciation for Follett.
“Follett has been an important part of our campus community, supporting the academic and co-curricular needs of our students, faculty and staff,” he said. “We are grateful for their contributions to UNCP.”