HAMBURG, N.Y. – A grand opening celebration will be held for Hilbert College’s recently renovated bookstore as it transitions to a campus site operated by Follett Higher Education Group, a move that also includes an online bookstore for the college.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held for the bookstore at 9 a.m. Nov. 21 at its location in the Campus Center lower level. Hilbert President Sister Edmunette Paczesny, Ph.D., college administrators, students, faculty, staff, and a Follett official will be in attendance.

Refurbished from top to bottom last summer, the bookstore officially reopened for business in time for fall classes. It features a wider selection of merchandise, a streamlined textbook ordering process for students, and an overall improved store environment.

“Aesthetically, the bookstore’s new look offers a more welcoming atmosphere for students and the campus community to browse our expanded merchandise,” said Karen McKee, bookstore manager, adding that “transactions are also quicker and more precise. The overall appeal is helping us better serve our students.”

According to McKee, the ease and efficiency of online ordering now available to Hilbert students was vital to accommodating an increasing demand for additional services. Using the college’s page on the efollett.com portal site, students may purchase books, Hilbert merchandise and gift cards, and computer products. A special faculty section allows professors to submit textbook requests for classes, check critiques on textbooks, and access course-pack materials.

The Hilbert bookstore is open from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, and additional special hours as needed throughout the semester. The bookstore will be closed Nov. 23-25 for the Thanksgiving holiday.