By Raegan Scharfetter/managing editor

TCC has recently selected Barnes & Noble College to manage all campus bookstores.

The new management will give an increase of innovative technologies and an array of affordable course materials for students and faculty, according to a Barnes & Noble press release.

Chancellor Eugene Giovannini said TCC has worked diligently over the last four years to make course materials more affordable for students.

“With the selection of Barnes & Noble College, we will be able to offer students a robust in-store and online rental textbook program, an extensive selection of used, new and digital textbooks, OER Courseware and a price-matching program,” he said in a statement. “In total, we believe this move will help our students save a great deal of money.”

TCC is one of 29 higher education institutions in Texas that partner with Barnes & Noble College, including Texas A&M University, Southern Methodist University and Texas Tech University. Barnes & Noble College operates 770 campus stores nationwide.

Barnes & Noble College president Patrick Maloney said the company is proud to partner with TCC.

“This partnership will allow us to support TCC’s ‘Success Within Reach’ mission by offering students and faculty a multitude of resources, innovative technologies and an array of affordable course materials,” he said in a statement.

Interim contract administrator Ray Allison said TCC bookstores were previously managed by Follett, but TCC decided after group evaluations and responses to go with Barnes & Noble.

“We chose Barnes & Noble College management because they lowered margins to lower prices of course materials,” he said.