Bookstore website, virtual store (for ordering textbooks) enhanced

MBS Direct, the company that has served as Heidelberg’s virtual bookstore for student textbook ordering for several years, has a new name. Along with it come some enhancements to the virtual bookstore and the Bookstore’s merchandise website. 

In 2017, Barnes & Noble Education acquired MBS Direct. The virtual bookstore is now known as Barnes & Noble College.

A new URL for the Barnes & Noble College virtual bookstore is now live: https://bncvirtual.com/heidelberg. Students can use this new URL and it’s suggested they transition any links or bookmarks they’ve used previously to access the virtual bookstore to the new URL. However, the old URL will remain active for the next year.

Under the coordination of Mary Puffenberger, the Bookstore will continue to manage all merchandise in the store. A significant benefit is a redesigned and enhanced outward-facing website for ordering merchandise and ‘Berg gear online. Check out the new and improved website here.

An additional benefit coming Heidelberg’s way in the months ahead will be a cost savings when Heidelberg faculty transition to entering their textbook orders directly through Barnes & Noble College instead of through the Bookstore, said Hoa Nguyen, vice president of Administration and Business Affairs. According to Mary, when the new portal for faculty is launched, Heidelberg will be among the first colleges and universities to utilize it. Details are being worked out and will include a lot of personalized elements.

“That is one way we will be able to reduce operating expenses for the Bookstore,” Hoa said. “With this change to Barnes & Noble College, we most likely will see more improvements in the future,” Hoa said.