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As an integral part of the division of Business Affairs, we are a university-owned and operated community center. We provide all academic and extracurricular needs for every Wildcat. Purchases made at any BookStores location support the University of Arizona and Tucson communities through scholarships, funding for student clubs and organizations, learning and literacy programs, student employment, athletics, alumni, and other university programs and initiatives.

PURPOSE

Uphold the University of Arizona's brand and financially support its initiatives through advocating student development and customer relations by being uniquely adoptive, innovative, and collaborative.

MISSION

As a completely self-financed auxillary service, the University of Arizona BookStores will serve to encourage academic excellence and build campus and community relationships through diverse, inclusive, and sustainable opportunities.

VISION

We strive to become the leading independent Bookstore in this dynamic world through problem solving that enables students to reach their full potential and maximizing funding for the campus community.

CORE VALUES

In addition to supporting the University's six core values of integrity, exploration, inclusion, adaptation, determination, and compassion, the BookStores is:

SUPPORTIVE by providing knowledge, resources, and funding for students, customers, and the campus community.

INNOVATIVE through creativity, open-mindedness, and new initiatives

COLLABORATIVE by working together and building partnerships to achieve goals.

When the University of Arizona held its first classes in Old Main, any idea of a "bookstore" was simply part of the original university administration. In 1928, the first unnamed and unofficial bookstore opened in the basement of Old Main, selling textbooks rather than issuing them to students. After the Great Depression, this basement bookstore was sold to the Associated Students of the University of Arizona.

With the arrival of thousands of World War II veterans attending UArizona on the G.I. Bill, things began to turn around for the entire campus and the BookStores as well. In January 1954, the store moved into a new 8,000 sq. ft. space to accommodate the sharp increase in student population. New locations opened up in the 1970's, and a major expansion in 1981 gave the main BookStore a space nearly three times larger.

In 1989 Frank Farias became Executive Director of the UA BookStores, instilling a strong sense of community among BookStores employees that redefined the bookstore model. He wanted the place to"do more than just exchange products for money," and that's what it became.

In February 2003, the BookStores unveiled its new flagship store in the Student Union Memorial Center. At 63,000 square feet, this store provides students, faculty, and the Tucson community with a premier university shopping experience. The versatile space also serves as an event center, a meeting place, an art gallery, and a tribute to the University of Arizona students from all over the world.

1928

The first unnamed and unofficial bookstore for the University of Arizona opened in Old Main, the first building that was constructed on campus.

1978

The first satellite store opened at the Arizona Health Science Center, serving the law, medical, nursing, public health and pharmacy community.

1993

McKale Sports Stop (now known as the A-Store at McKale), in partnership with Inter-Collegiate Athletics opened. This is the prime destination for official sports merchandise and management of souvenirs within all stadiums.

2003

The BookStores unveiled its current flagship store in the Student Union Memorial Center. The versatile space also serves as an event center, a meeting place, an art gallery, and a tribute to University of Arizona students from all over the world.

2007

In partnership with the College of Science, the BookStores opened at BioSphere 2, one of the world's most unique facilities serving as a center for research and teaching about Earth and its living systems.

2010

The store in Flandrau Science Center & Planetarium, in partnership with the College of Science, opened exploring our universe from earth to space and everything in-between.

2014

The pop-up shop at the Phoenix College of Medicine opened to serve the University of Arizona population in Phoenix.

2018

The official team shop at Arizona Stadium opened, highlighting football apparel and souvenirs, with products worn by the coaches of the team.

2019

Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium opened a store to serve softball fans.

MORE THAN JUST A STAIRCASE. IT REPRESENTS THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF NATIVE AMERICANS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA

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