VICTORIA MARTINEZ
News Editor

The University Bookstore celebrated finishing months of renovations with its grand reopening celebrations last week.

Despite never closing operations, even when shelves themselves were removed and books remained in boxes, the bookstore underwent both a physical and virtual expansion. The new bookstore features a large medical section, wider aisles, wheelchair access and about six extra feet in the upper shopping area. Online shopping is now available to ease book buying even more.

The online store offers one day shipping to major centres, so students can avoid the long lineups emblematic of a new semester.

“In January I actually saw students with netbooks ordering (while waiting) in line. That’s the way to shop,” said Dean Fey, head of online sales for the bookstore.

The layout of the store remains largely familiar. The entrance features books by particular authors —this week the speakers at the reopening celebrations — and curiosities from books to postcards.

The Centre Shop has been moved into the upper shop space, with all U of S clothing and all the school supplies one could ask for.

To the right, as always, the stairs to the lowered level of the store enter the general interest books, now set up in a different orientation and separated by large shelves from the textbook section. The books are curated to be intellectually stimulating, but with a general audience in mind.

Fey said the reopening celebrations were in large part community-minded, with plenty of guest authors and family events.

“We want to let the general public know that the store is open and available to them.”

Full wheelchair access is one feature Fey is particularly proud of. All of the aisles in the store are wide enough for wheelchairs to pass through easily, and an elevator has been added.

The wide aisles are complemented by clearly demarked signs by section to ensure smooth traffic flow. Books are displayed piled horizontally, for easier removal, and with used books most visible.

“It’s important to try to help students save money,” Fey explained, noting that student budgeting is difficult even at the best of economic times.

At the back of the store, there is a new devoted medical section with “the most expansive and wide collection of medical textbooks in Western Canada,” says Fey.

Why so large? Rae Hearn, the assistant buyer for the bookstore, explained that for medical books, and for many others throughout the store, the bookstore emphasizes academic readership.

“Instead of turnover after a few months on shelves, we keep a lot of things so resources are always available for that one or two people who come in and need it.”

Sprinkled throughout the store are works by local artists, including quilts, jewellery and paintings. These, Fey hopes, will be a permanent addition.

One final touch awaits completion, however. Just outside the entrance ramp, bookstore frequenters will soon be enjoy the only full-serve Tim Hortons on campus.

For caffeine fiends with a delight for books, this may be the best development yet.

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image: Pete Yee