Coastal Carolina University's new campus bookstore has opened on the first floor of University Hall. The 11,000-square-foot facility is operated and managed by Follett Higher Education Group.

In addition to books required for Coastal classes, the new facility will offer a general reading section, a Hallmark cards display and a music section featuring a variety of CDs by Aug. 1, according to Rip Scott, manager of the store. The bookstore will also feature a snack bar and a small line of health and beauty products. Fall semester classes at Coastal begin Thursday, Aug. 23.

Follett is developing a Coastal virtual bookstore through efollett.com to service the needs of the campus community. Faculty will be able to place orders for their course readings through efollett.com and students will be able to purchase textbooks online. Students can return books bought online to the campus bookstore.

The Coastal community will have the opportunity to select merchandise and services online through efollett.com or in the on- campus store. Follett is one of the nation's largest used-textbook providers.

According to Scott, a grand opening for the store will be held during Coastal's Family Weekend, Oct. 19 to 21. The bookstore will be operated by five full-time and two part-time employees. Scott comes to Coastal after working for three years as manager of the Follett-run bookstore at John Brown University in Arkansas.

Follett, which has a five-year agreement with Coastal, serves more than 4 million students and more than 300,000 faculty through more than 655 stores.