Borders(R) Reminds Educators: Time is Running Out to Beat the Budget Crunch and Enjoy Big In-Store Savings

ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Borders® is committed to helping educators beat the budget crunch with a 30 percent discount off the list price of nearly everything in store during Educator Appreciation Week, which runs through March 27. As schools coast-to-coast contend with sweeping budget cuts — resulting in even less money available to teachers for classroom supplies — educators, including current and retired teachers, professors, librarians, homeschoolers and others, can use this generous discount to stock up on books, music, movies and decor items for the classroom as well as professional resources and virtually anything in store that will enrich their personal lives. To take advantage of the 30 percent discount, which is among the most generous offers currently available, educators need only present proof of educator status, which can be either a paystub or current or retired teacher identification card. (Homeschoolers must present their homeschool certification.) Educators who are members of the Borders Rewards® loyalty program will enjoy even greater savings — for every $150 in annual qualifying purchases members make, they earn $5 in "Borders Bucks," which can be used toward a future purchase.

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New National Teacher Registry

In another move to help teachers deal with the pain of shrinking budgets, last week Borders announced it will be the exclusive book retailer for the nation's first and only national registry specifically for teachers, accessible at www.nationalteacherregistry.com. Developed by MarCole Interactive Systems, the National Teacher Registry is a free service that enables teachers to set up a registry of items they need for their classrooms. Parents, friends and family can order items — including books, music and movies from Borders at great prices — and those items will be shipped directly to classrooms. Borders will begin transacting on the site in the coming months.

Everyday Classroom Discount of 25 Percent

While enjoying EAW, pre-K through grade 12 educators, homeschoolers and school librarians who do not currently have a free Borders Classroom Discount Card are encouraged to sign up for the card, which gives them access to an everyday discount of 25 percent off the list price of all books, CDs, toys and games, as well as 10 percent off DVDs for classroom use. To receive a discount card, educators must present proof of their educator status.

"My Favorite Teacher Is..."

In honor of Educator Appreciation Week — and to pay tribute to teachers everywhere — Borders recently asked some customers to talk on camera about their favorite or most influential teacher. Not surprisingly these customers waxed poetic about teachers who not only encouraged and inspired them, but also enriched their education through small yet extraordinary acts.

The "My Favorite Teacher Is..." video can be enjoyed at http://www.bordersmedia.com/teachingzone/favoriteteacher

About Borders Group, Inc.

Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., through its subsidiaries Borders Group, Inc. (NYSE: BGP) is a leading specialty retailer of books as well as other educational and entertainment items. The company employs approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders® and Waldenbooks® stores. Online shopping is offered through borders.com. Find author interviews and vibrant discussions of the products we and our customers are passionate about online at facebook.com/borders, twitter.com/borders and youtube.com/bordersmedia. For more information about the company, visit borders.com/media.

SOURCE Borders Group