Pioneer LogLewis & Clark College’s Student-Run Newspaper

Book talk with new LC bookstore manager Janet Kehn

February 05, 2010

by Megan Quint

The Pioneer Log sat down with Janet Kehn, the new manager of Lewis & Clark’s bookstore, to discuss her plans, the transition from Barnes and Noble ownership, and the possibility of a bookstore cat.

PioLog: Your job title is Bookstore Manager. What does that entail?

Janet Kehn: I’m responsible for all the financial data, making sure we maintain a high level of customer service and that we carry the all products and textbooks that students want and need.

PL: How do you feel about the bookstore’s move towards independence?

JK: It will allow LC to have a higher degree of individuality, be unique to LC and represent the culture here. Also, we will be able to react more quickly to suggestions, ideas, and needs.

PL: What changes can we expect to see during the transition?

JK: Although the Barnes and Noble contract extends until June, we will be making the transition earlier, sometime in April. Barnes and Noble is trying to help us make the transition smooth and easy by not ordering a lot, since we will have to purchase anything that is not sold by the time we take over. Because of this students will be seeing a low inventory, though we will be sure to meet the needs, especially in regards to textbooks.

PL: Once you are fully independent, what specific changes will be most visible to students?

JK: Right now I don’t see a large selection of supplies, particularly art supplies, or clothing. I plan on bringing in more of those things. Also, I’d like to implement a “good, better, best” pricing structure on merchandise. Right now there isn’t a lot of variation in the pricing, but a student might have one price point and an alumni might have something different, and there should be options.

PL: Will you have a hand in the merchandise selection, especially in the areas of clothing and nonacademic reading?

JK: Yes, I will be personally be purchasing the clothing, and we’re hoping to hire a desk accountant and a webmaster when we begin sales. I’m looking at carrying a wider selection of nonacademic reading. I have an advisory panel with students and staff, which will hopefully allow me to gauge the demands of this community. For example, at Mt. Hood Community College [where Kehn was Bookstore Manager before coming to LC a month ago] we had a bargain books selection. We’re finding out what would appeal most to the students here.

PL: What have been the challenges and/or limitations you have faced here so far?

JK: Space is a big one. I would like to see the bookstore really grow and be able to support the community. I would like to expand the food and beverage area and have space for offices but it’s just not feasible. However, the college’s ten-year plan includes an expansion of the bookstore that would increase our space and our options.

Later on Kehn expressed a wish for a bookstore cat “like they have at Reed College, so that students who miss their kitties could come and snuggle with it.” Unfortunately, she is quite sure that the College prohibits pets of any kind inside most of its buildings.

Janet encourages any and all student, faculty and community input. She can be contacted at kehnj@lclark.edu.