We are the UBC Bookstore, owned and operated by the University of British Columbia, where proceeds support student services, facilities and research. The largest academic bookstore in Western Canada, we have been providing course materials and lifestyle essentials required by the University, life-long learners and the community at large since 1917. We are the 14th largest campus store in North America (out of over 2,600) and are very proud of the fact! Learn more about the UBC Bookstore's role at UBC, what it offers and how to work in partnership in this short video.

Independent and local, we currently have three stores: Vancouver campus, Okanagan campus and the Sauder School for Business. We also run the operations for the Beaty Biodiversity Museum store.

While we are traditionally known as a bookstore, we provide many products and services, including technology and IT help, clothing, giftware and furniture for everyone at UBC and beyond. In essence, we are a one-stop shop and community hub, because we are central, established and give back to UBC's community: your purchases support the UBC community, we employ many students and pay very fair wages, as well as donating to hundreds of student and community groups.

Our UBC Bookstores Vancouver and Okanagan (which became part of the family in 2005) provide five choices of academic course materials (textbooks), general books, computers (at educational pricing), software, phones, games, official UBC clothing and giftware, as well as school/office/home supplies. We also run a popular discount book club.
In addition, we provide office supplies for UBC departments through EWAY online. Services such as special orders, custom gifts and clothing and office furniture are also available.

Additional services unique to the Vancouver/Point Grey community include the UBC Carding office, U-Pass, UBC's official IT help desk and an IT charging station, passport photos, plaza rentals, a relax lounge and a coffee shop.

We are part of University Community Services, five units which provide daily support to the UBC community: the UBC Bookstores, UBCcard, Campus Security, Parking and Access Control Services and Campus Mail.

UBC Bookstore expansion 2013

Open for business as usual - Vancouver campus

The UBC Bookstore on the Vancouver campus will start an expansion to accommodate a convenience store, study areas on a mezzanine level, an enlarged cafe, and an expanded clothing and giftware section. Books, technology, stationery and all our other products and services will remain an important part of our business.

When: Construction will start at the end of February, 2013 to complete by fall 2013. The main entrance will be closed off from March 2013, but an alternative entrance will always be accessible on East Mall. Parking will not be affected.

Key dates:  February 18: UBCcard moved to the back of the store where the current online pick-up desk is.  You  can still pick up the UPass in the same location - the number of machines will be reduced. March 8: the Bookstore cafe has closed while we build a fully enlarged cafe with extensive seating. We sell sandwiches, salads and snacks in our convenience store location next to the spiral staircase. Nearest locations for coffee: Kaiser and the SUB. April: the main entrance doors to the Bookstore will be closed. The store will be accessible from the temporary entrance on East Mall throughout. Accessibility route: once the main ramp is closed, there will two routes to take you to the back of the store. These will be clearly signed and will be open during normal store hours. To ask a member of staff to accompany you, you can call 778 840 2243.

Why: The expansion to bring us to street level and enable us to provide more products and services to our customers. 

Input: Our customers can provide input in several ways:

•  What products you would like to see in-store via our social media channels, our website feedback form, customer comment forms and our board in-store

•  Provide a quote from p95 (because the Bookstore is 95 years old) of your nearest or favourite book. These quotes will serve as a legacy piece and be built into the exterior and interior designs of the Bookstore. You can pick up a postcard from the Bookstore, complete it and drop it to front information or email us

•  When our tunnel goes up outside, you can contribute to our artwork. Pick up a colourful sticker from our front information and see the design evolve

• We are working with a number of daycare centres(children aged from 15 months), University Hill elementary school as well as the Wesbrook Village residents, to decorate the hoarding outside. Their artwork should be in place by end April.

How can our customers shop? 

•  The Bookstore will remain open for business throughout. We will provide free ear plugs if you would like them - please ask at front information. We will remain wheelchair and pram accessible (the entrance will be at the back of the building around the Michael Smith building)

•  You can also shop online at bookstore.ubc.ca and we can deliver to you for free on campus

• You can search for any products we carry using our in-store product search and order over the phone and collect at your convenience

• Expansion specials:  we will be offering a number of special priced clothing and giftware throughout our construction online and in-store. While supplies last. Check out the first two for April here:

Showerproof, breathable, reflective running/leisure jacket at $34.95. UBC crested. Men's and women's.

UBC morph tumbler - for multiple uses $24.95.

• You can also shop at one of our other physical locations: the UBC Bookstore at Sauder or the Okanagan campus store.

Who is funding this? 

 The expansion will be funded by the UBC Bookstore and will be paid back from sales over the next seven years.

Partners

office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers (omb) 

The office of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers (omb) has been chosen as the architect for this project: an energetic, award-winning, full-service design firm in North Vancouver. The firm is committed to sustainable building practices, with a focus on the success of its clients. Known for design excellence, omb’s staff of 23 professionals is led by two principals and three senior associates. Intentionally multidisciplinary, omb embraces architecture, interior design, graphic design, wayfinding and branding, as well as master planning and urban design. See some of  omb's work here.

A diverse portfolio demonstrates how the firm’s strengths in problem solving, consensus building, and responsible design solutions come together in thoughtful, welcoming, and sustainable built work. Cross-pollination of ideas across projects – big and small – is how omb continues to be invigorated by new challenges.

UBC Properties Trust 

The UBC Properties Trust, which develops and manages real estate assets for the benefit of the University, will be overseeing the UBC Bookstore expansion.

The Public Realm 

The new UBC Bookstore space outside will meld with the Public Realm space, comprising greenery and water features, a collection of outdoor spaces between buildings shared by the university community of students, faculty, staff, alumni and broader community. The Public Realm is important to the UBC community because it brings life to the university, instills pride and a strong sense of place, promotes social interaction and supports the physical and mental health of our students, faculty and staff.

UBC Bookstore Robson Square

This location is closed as of 26th March, 2013, but continue to serve customers online and in our other three physical locations: Vancouver main store, the Okanagan and the Sauder School of Business. FAQ here. We would like to thank all of our customers for their patronage. The Robson Reading Series will end at the end of March 2013.

To our patrons of the UBC Library at Robson Square:

Please note that effective June 22, 2012, the current computer/study area has been closed to be converted into a classroom for UBC courses and programs.

We apologize for any inconvenience caused by these changes.  If you have questions please contact:

• Leonora Crema, associate university librarian, UBC Library, leonora.crema@ubc.ca,T: 604-822-8473                             

• Marni Fraser, operations manager, UBC Robson Square, marni.fraser@ubc.ca. T: 604-822-8324.