Spring Break
Mojo: Books and more books
Bridget Jones
Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: News
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Bookstore 'fevah'
Those who love Barnes & Noble will be thrilled by the new Hornet Bookstore.
The 53,869-square-foot building is located behind the University Union and across from Serna Plaza.
The bookstore is a beautiful tribute to the comfy cooperate bookstore chains that provide hours of peaceful study opportunities, delicious coffee and various genres of literature.
The store's new director, Pam Parsons, was pleased with the bookstore's turnout.
"It was great seeing people walk in…this nice stunned look on people's faces was rewarding," Parsons said.
Perhaps these stunned looks come from gazing at the wide variety of merchandise that grace the lower level of the store. There is more Sac State apparel than ever before and everything from pencils to teddy bears boldly declare the campus name.
The technology section has also been greatly improved. Now customers can play with laptops and iPod accessories before they buy them. A student can now find something that is truly right for his or her personality.
"It's more tactile now," Parsons said.
The bookstore is also in a great new location. Let's be honest. Who wants to walk all the way from the old building to the Union for lunch? Now students can grab lunch, sit in Serna Plaza and then go to the bookstore for some new highlighters, sticky notes and even a Leonardo DaVinci action figure.
The bookstore's close proximity to a parking structure is also a plus for students who want to make a quick get away after picking up what they need; this is always a plus when toting 500 pounds of fresh new books.
The promise of caffeine is also a big perk to those late-night studiers who usually feel like zombies as they attempt to read yet another chapter from Biology Now!
Rachel Rosin, a senior business marketing major, was fascinated by the addition of coffee.
"I think it's great! I love that they put the Java City in here too," Rosin said.
Although the bright, new bookstore will provide lots of cool and functional merchandise to those who shop within its walls, students continue to wish its academic books didn't cost such a pretty penny.
"I kind of wish they had poured more money into bringing down the price of text books, but it's nice," said Ben Gould, a junior anthropology major.
Whatever the price of books, the new Hornet Bookstore is a breathtaking example of where Destination 2010 will take us. Go ahead, pick up the newest novel, get some coffee, take a seat and relax. College is hectic; here's another opportunity for a break.
Books not wasted in library sale
Left over books will not go to waste at the Sacramento State Library.
Materials donated by the community and faculty are first inspected by librarians. What is not kept for the library's collection is sent down to the lower level of the building for the bi-monthly Friends of the Library book sale.
The lower level's Book Bin is open Thursday and Friday for the sale of used books and then again every first and third Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of each month from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The sale is hosted by the CSUS Friends of the Library, a volunteer organization founded in 1992. The group plans events and fundraisers for the Sac State library.
Within the red metal cage of the Book Bin stands shelves of various genres of books. Students can find great deals on academic, fiction, non-fiction and reference books.
Charles Vento, a volunteer, finds the sale to be beneficial to students.
"They come in…and they can get the academic books for only $2 that might be of help for them in their classes," Vento said.
Hardback books are $2 each or three for $5. Fiction paperback books are $1 each and non-fiction paperbacks are $2 or 3 for $5. Great deals also apply to children's books, records, tapes, magazines and sheet music. There is no sales tax on any of the items.
While the Book Bin is only open six days a month, there are four additional stacks of books and a rack of magazines that are always available for students to purchase. Volunteers ask that those who take books and magazines from this area leave donations of 50 cents and 25 cents respectively in a donation box that hangs on the Book Bin's door.
Proceeds of the sale go toward the improvement of the library, said Louellyn Cohan, a retired government professor and volunteer.
"All the proceeds…are donated by the Friends back to the library for purchases of more books for the library…also equipment (and) furniture," Cohan said.
The Friends of the Library are eager to supply the library with the funds it needs to create a more inviting and functional atmosphere for students.
"Twice a year we, through the library staff, call for grant proposals," Vento said. "Librarians submit (proposals for) grants for materials. If there's any reason why we should be giving them the money, we give it to them."
A distinct advantage of shopping at the book sale is that students may find books they never expected to, said Alice Westreich, a volunteer at the sale.
"You just never know what you're going to find," Westreich said. "The rest of us will think 'that's a nothing book' and somebody else will think 'that's a great book!'"
Bridget Jones can be reached at bjones@statehornet.com
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