Luther Seminary’s bookstore recently underwent some substantial changes. Grace Alworth, manager of the bookstore, hopes these changes will help it stay current with the needs of students, staff, faculty and the surrounding community.
The most evident change is the bookstore’s relocation from the basement of the Olson Campus Center to the main floor, where people are more likely to pass by. This allows the bookstore to have a more visible presence on campus, making it feel more like a part of the community. Before the move, the bookstore held a fire sale in order to clean out its inventory and make room for new titles. The sections in the store are now more specific, relating to the different departments at Luther Seminary. With this change, Alworth has noticed an increase in students purchasing books beyond what is required for their courses—something she considers a very good sign.
Additionally, a few school supplies and snacks have been added, and gift items—mostly made by people in the Luther community—are available as well. The latter is a great way to support the artists here. The goal is for the focus of the bookstore to be a local one. Alworth hopes to continually find new ways to serve and participate in the life of this wonderful community.