The Stanford Bookstore: A Must-See for Visitors by Caroline and Cindy Background Created as a cooperative association, Stanford's earliest bookstore consisted of a wood shack erected by students near Green Library in 1891. Today, while still located near Green Library, the bookstore has evolved into a beautifully designed building that serves as a hub on the Stanford campus. It is an extremely popular destination for visitors and students alike, where one can rest tired legs at the Bookstore Cafe with a cup of coffee in hand, stock up on Stanford paraphernalia, buy a new cover for one's iPod, and more!
From the Outside The Stanford Bookstore is centrally located on campus, a few steps from White Plaza and Tresidder Union. It is across from Old Union and The Claw Fountain, and just a few minutes from the Main Quad and Meyer Library. Just as lively and exciting as the interior of the store is the exterior—situated steps from White Plaza and trademark Stanford fountains, the store is surrounded by the unique vibrancy and buzz that is characteristic of the school.
View from Outside. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011.
A Miniature-Museum Itself With its grand architecture, central location, and vast array of goods--ranging from books to clothing to food and computer accessories, the Stanford University Bookstore shares many characteristics with an actual museum. Upon entering the store, the viewer lays eyes upon extensive sections of the store, which parallel different exhibitions in a museum. Each section of the bookstore is labeled with signs that allow the visitor to navigate through the store.
Walking In. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. This is a view of what one sees upon walking into the bookstore. Look at all those people waiting in line! Notice also how much material the bookstore sells.
A Beautiful Space Once in the museum, the visitor can opt to browse through Stanford University souvenirs, or to peruse a selection of books on the culture and history of California functioning as an exhibit. Similar to a museum experience, after wandering through the various displays, the viewer can enjoy a coffee or a light meal in the Bookstore’s café, conveniently located on the second floor of the store, providing the viewer with a view of the building.
View of Cafe. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011.
Studying at the Cafe. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Always appealing to the starving college student, the Cafe is an ideal place to curl up with a good book with a cup of coffee or a pastry in hand. The wonderful sweet aroma is also becomes hard to ignore as one walks up to the second level of the store. The cafe is also a great place for casual meetings and to get some studying done.
View of Cafe and Ceiling. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Here is another view of the cafe, as well as the beautifully designed ceiling of the bookstore. Elegant and creating a sense of dynamism in the store, the tent-like ceiling lets natural light into the store, making the space feel open, spacious, and sunny. By maximizing the natural light coming in, the bookstore is also able to contribute to Stanford's growing environmental awareness, focus on "green" objects, and push toward sustainability.
A Spacious View. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Contributing to the openness of the store is the fact that the second story is halved so that one is able to look down upon the first floor from the steps of the second. Here is a view from the second floor of the bookstore. From this angle, the visitor can notice how much ample space there is and how one can see every angle of the store.
Colorful and Bustling. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. The bookstore is always colorful and bustling, always with something to look at. Here is another view from the second floor. Sometimes, it can be fun and interesting to simply sit at the cafe and enjoy the exciting and ever-changing view!
Browsing Through The Store The interior of the building is a bustling combination of tourists, students, and of course, a great deal of red and white. Though the building is actually a practical bookstore and the place Stanford students buy their school-books and everyday essentials, the ample Californian displays and Stanford memorabilia make it a prime destination for tourists, especially local groups of school children and prospective applicants to Stanford University.
Giving A Gift. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Looking for a souvenir? Check out the Gifts and Accessories section of the store, located on the first floor near the cash registers. This is a great place to find Stanford-related gifts for every person on your list! With a wide selection ranging from stuffed animals to golf balls and wine glasses, there is something for everyone here.
California Focus. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Since Stanford is located in Palo Alto, California, the Stanford Bookstore also includes a section dedicated to California. With maps of the local surroundings, suggestions for day trips, and information about local destinations such as San Francisco, Carmel, Sacramento, and more, the bookstore houses a wealth of knowledge of Stanford's surroundings that is useful to both tourists and students.
Cardinal Red Everywhere. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Looking for Stanford apparel? Look no further than the bookstore! Most of the second floor is dedicated to selling Stanford gear to men, women, and children. This selection of clothing changes according to the seasons and of course, how Stanford is doing in football. Go Cardinal!
Books galore. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Even though the bookstore contains much more than just books, as illustrated above, don't forget that it is primarily a bookstore~ There are lots of selections of books, typical of a regular bookstore.
Lots to Read. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Here is another picture of the endless rows of books!
Site of Mad Scramble for Books. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. While there is a regular selection of books at the store, the Stanford Bookstore also serves its students by including a section on the lowest level (the store is tri-level) stocked with books students typically need for classes. With signs dividing the books into subject areas such as Political Science and Religious Studies, students can easily navigate through the aisles to find what they need. This place is overflowing with hungry students scavenging for class books at the beginning of every quarter.
Essentials. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. The bookstore is a central location for not only tourists of Stanford, but also for students. Aside from carrying books, stationary, and supplies, the bookstore conveniently sells everyday essentials that a student may need, such as toothpaste, medicine, and shampoo.
A Drive for Interactive Technology Making appeals to tourists, students, and everyone in between, the Stanford Bookstore additionally tries to engage its visitors by including interactive laptops in the Computer Section on the second floor of the store, working to appeal to a younger, technologically-savvy audience.
Gather 'Round Everyone. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. This is a picture of the Computer Section, which has several Apple computers and laptops set up so visitors can play around on them. Here, a group of children on a field trip are engaging themselves with the technology, probably taking some pictures of themselves on iPhoto.
The Stanford Spirit Many aspects of a visit to the Stanford University Bookstore—such as the walk over, leafing through books on California, grabbing a quick bite in the café (and not being permitted to take photos inside unless guaranteed permission!), parallel a museum experience and leave the visitor with a great sense of the spirit of California and Stanford University.
Looking Out from the Store. Copyright Cindy Chang. May 3, 2011. Plus, one is greeted with this grand (and sunny!) view of Old Union and The Claw after stepping out of the bookstore. Life is good. Enjoy your visit!
For Further Exploration For an inside tour of the bookstore, click here! http://youtu.be/uDjYruNMfhM?hd=1 For a view of what's outside the store, visit http://youtu.be/cazRdrOTyqA See what the bookstore has to offer for yourself! http://www.bkstr.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?catalogId=10001&langId=1&demoKey=d&storeId=10161 Read what others thought of the store! Charles T. from Mountain View, CA said: "This is the bookstore that I go to to browse the literary criticism section, the poetry section, art books, and cultural studies. They have the largest and most diverse selection of any bookstore in the area. If you know of a better bookstore I'd like to hear about it."
Kristine D. from Mountain View, CA said: "Unlike my old college bookstore, which carried mainly text books and school supplies, the Stanford Bookstore has something for everyone! I've purchased books for my young kids from their extensive children's book section. I've also found page-turners for me just across the aisle. There is also an extensive Stanford apparel department where it's possible to pick up branded gear for everyone in your life including your dog. The staff is knowledgeable and pleasant. Enjoy a latte at the bookstore's cafe while you peruse your purchases. This place makes a decent panini too!" Read more reviews: http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=stanford+bookstore&ns=1&find_loc=San+Francisco%2C+CA For more information on Stanford University visit: http://www.stanford.edu/
