To procure and offer texts, books, merchandise and services to students, faculty, staff and the general public in support of the college’s educational mission to maximize the collegiate experience of our students in achieving their educational goals.
As the primary outlet for textbooks and related merchandise, as well as serving as the convenience store for the campus, the Bookstore is successfully meeting its mission, employing a professional and loyal staff dedicated to making the store a viable business enterprise and serving students to the best of its ability. In spring 2018 the Bookstore continues to focus on customer service and a pleasant shopping environment, providing students and staff with a wide array of products. A complete array of school supplies, textbooks, textbook rentals, custom texts, and texts in multiple formats are just some of the ways we cater to student needs. We also carry a large selection of merchandise from logo t-shirts, hats and sweatshirts, to all possible supplies students may need to be successful. The Bookstore understands the competition in today’s market so consequently does all it can to put student’s first, and to become the preferred shopping destination for textbooks, other course materials, supplies and Butte College logo merchandise.
As an Auxiliary Service, the Bookstore does not perform academic program reviews. We review our program on an annual basis through Unit Planning. Our unit plan is designed to align with the Strategic Direction of the College as well as maintain the same high standards of student success.
Strategy 1 - Increase completion rate
Outreach to faculty for timely adoptions
Timely adoptions allow for more buy back opportunities for students, as well as allowing the Bookstore to procure as many used copies as possible which helps keep our prices low. We will place flyers in individual mailboxes, District Announcements, and send email messages to chairs, coordinators, and area administrative assistants to spread the word. Now that our text book buyer has access to all faculity email, our goal is to see a substantial increase in completion rate.
Strategy 2 - Student outreach
Marketing outreach to students
In an effort to build/re-build our relationship with students we will make every effort to connect with the student body. We will use strategies as outlined by the National Association of College Stores and the Missouri Book Company in conjunction with ideas that surface locally. These can include but are not limited to a loyalty program, in-store coupons and promotions, use of social media, etc. In addition we will use every day interactions to help assess the needs and concerns of our student population.
Strategy 3 - Provide competitive pricing
Utilization of Verba software for competitive pricing. Source affordable textbooks through Amazon and other online sources.
The Verba software package is a robust tool that we will use to it's fullest advantage. We will make using this package a priority in an attempt to keep our prices competitive. We will shop other online textbook sources to include Amazon.
Strategy 4 - Increase text book rental titles
Reevaluate the textbook rental program
The textbook rental program, while providing a service to students that is needed and expected, has proven to be complex and demanding of staff time and energy. Solutions to streamline the process need to be identified and implemented.
As an entity of Auxiliary Services the Bookstore is a self-supporting operation. We are expected to meet all of our own financial obligations including employee salary and benefits. Any profits realized are designated for future business needs.