Temporary UK Bookstore Opens on Lexington Avenue

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 26, 2015) — The temporary University of Kentucky Bookstore is officially open and ready to serve the UK community.

During the new Student Center construction from May 16, 2015 until early 2018, Barnes & Noble will operate the university's bookstore in a temporary UK Bookstore location, located behind the Joe Craft Center, on Lexington Avenue. The facility, originally slated to open on June 1, was completed ahead of schedule and is ready to open its doors early.

This temporary bookstore location will offer new and used rental books, digital books, used textbooks and new textbooks, as well as a wide selection of UK clothing and merchandise. It will also offer year-round book buy-back and special order services. 

Because the UK Bookstore's services are in high demand during the first few weeks of the fall semester, the university is providing three options for students to receive their textbooks.

1.    Students can take advantage of a free UPS delivery service, the most highly encouraged option for pre-orders. More details about the delivery service will be available over the coming summer months.

Students can also choose between two pick-up locations:

2.    The temporary bookstore behind the Joe Craft Center on Lexington Avenue, or

3.    A tent near "the 90," located on Hilltop Avenue, which will serve as a satellite store for move-in week and the first week of classes and feature UK clothing, residence hall supplies and school supplies. 

“Our partnership with Barnes and Noble is another example of putting students first in everything that we do,” said Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration Eric Monday. “The temporary bookstore will serve our community well as we begin work on our state-of-the-art permanent facility in the UK Student Center.”

When construction of the Student Center is completed in early 2018, UK will have a state-of-the-art 35,000 sq. ft. academic superstore that reflects the school’s Wildcat brand, offering approximately 50,000 volumes of general reading and exceptional customer service. When completed, the new three-story bookstore will also offer a full-service coffee shop with indoor and outdoor seating. 

“As we continue to move forward, we always want to hear feedback from the community,” Monday said.

As a reminder, members of the UK community can visit this page to view where the various vital services currently housed in the Student Center will move.

Additional information about new campus recreation options for north campus will also be available in the coming weeks.

Join the conversation about the Student Center and the UK Bookstore. You can also stay updated by visiting the Student Center renovation website.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sarah Geegan, (859) 257-5365; sarah.geegan@uky.edu