The Citrus College district has teamed up with Follett for a five-year period to manage the Owl Bookshop.
Enterprise Service Manager Eric Magallon said the district’s choice to partner with Follett wasn’t just from the reputation, but from the long history behind their company.
Magallon said in an email Follett is a “seventh-generation family-owned business offering improved course material access, affordability, and choices of formats to the students, increased book scholarships for students and a comprehensive digital adoption process for faculty.”
Follett’s Manager of Sales and Operations Emily Porter said she believes Follett helps students brace themselves for the future of their education.
“We support students from day one all the way through graduation with Citrus swag to show their school pride, course materials to ensure they are successful in their studies all the way to regalia for their commencement,” Porter said in an email.
Follett promises to be cost effective for students, Porter said.
“Follett’s programs not only help with the affordability of learning materials but also facilitate the access and preparedness that all students need to achieve success — no matter what their background or financial situation,” Porter said.
The Follett website offers these materials digitally throughout their database and the Owl Bookshop.
Magallon said the company brings a wide array of advantages, including “improved technology through the Follett website, in-store rentals, and increased availability to used and rental titles.”
Magallon said there’s an “improved website with online ordering access to course materials expanded to all Follett locations.”
Physical changes have been made to the layout of the bookstore itself.
“The inside has been cleared out of the old fixtures, redesigned space, and new fixtures installed,” Magallon said in an email. “The remainder of the remodeling (flooring, paint, graphics) will happen over the next year or so.”
Student Trevor Martin has taken notice of the renovated design.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the bookstore,” Martin said. “It looks a lot more organized. It looks like a boutique-type store that you’d see in the mall.
“It’s the kind of place you can walk in and see what you’re looking for, with more of an emphasis on presentation.”
After the five-year period contract is up, extensions will continue as long as Follett’s services meet the students’ and district’s needs.
“We are excited to be a part of the Citrus College community and look forward to working more closely with all,” Porter said.
