August 29, 1997

Bookstore opens user-friendly HUB location

If you've been looking for that elusive copy of Dylan Thomas' radio interviews, speak to Ross Jopling, manager of the University Bookstore in HUB.

While ordering some of the more than 25,000 titles currently in stock, Jopling brought in a few of his own favorites and was delighted to have the unusual order filled. He got only one copy of the Thomas book and is enjoying it immensely, but has promised to order more.

As the books came in, Assistant Manager Craig Stray also snapped up the first copy of a book of poetry by Kenneth Rexroth-the grandfather of the San Francisco Renaissance and a hard guy to find, says Stray.

But while the two long-time bibliophiles couldn't contain their own excitement as the new stock came in, they've promised to do just as well delivering much-coveted books to the rest of campus. More stock is coming in every day, says Jopling and new equipment for special orders is on its way.

The idea for the new store to serve the east side of campus came forward in mid-January. The carpet and fixtures were in by mid-June and the shelves were stocked and the ribbon cut by August 18.

The 3,900 square foot store features a broad collection of titles in the humanities, social sciences, fine arts, law and business and contains no required reading. "These are really the books people want to buy rather than the ones they are forced to buy," says Stray. However, the titles do lean toward the academic as staff is polling faculty to cater to their needs.

Customers are invited to bring coffee in, lounge in the comfortable wing-backed chairs as they flip through the books, play a game of chess or take advantage of the free Internet Bar, GATE access and reference CD's.

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