Temple University and Follett Higher Education to Celebrate Grand Opening of State-of-the-Art Campus Bookstore at Paley Hall

PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Temple University and Follett Higher Education, the largest campus retailer in North America, will soon celebrate the grand opening of an improved campus bookstore housed within the newly opened, LEED-certified Paley Hall. The revamped and relocated campus bookstore is designed to bring best-in-class services, products, and academic support to Temple students and faculty.

"This is a tremendous moment for the entire Temple University community, and Follett is honored to be part of this newly envisioned Paley Hall," said Emmanuel Kolady, CEO of Follett Higher Education. "Spanning two floors and featuring a state-of-the-art event space, the new and improved Temple University Bookstore has been reimagined as a destination for learning, collaboration, and fun. We're excited to bring innovative product offerings, an expanded selection of Nike apparel and merchandise, and an assortment of local businesses and Philadelphia-centric products to excite and delight students, faculty, alums, and local friends and family." 

The new Temple University Bookstore at Paley Hall opened to the public on August 18, 2025. Paley Hall was designed by PZS Architects and S/L/A/M, with Rycon Construction leading the build. In addition to the 26,000 square foot campus bookstore, the 306,000-square-foot facility offers learning and collaboration spaces, training and simulation centers, meeting and study rooms, café areas, an expanded Social Service Annex for students, and faculty and administration offices. Paley Hall is LEED certified for sustainable design and operation and is the first on Temple's campus to request WELL certification for features that improve occupants' wellness, such as ventilation, light, fitness and comfort.

"With its upgraded location and broader selection, this store is designed to be more than a retail space, it's a vibrant new space that will be a hub for connection and community," said Jonathan Reiter, Senior Associate Vice President of Business Affairs and Administration for Temple University. "We knew when we made the transition a year ago that the bookstore would eventually move to the new space. The Follett team has done an amazing job during this huge transition. Even more importantly, they are out there building relationships with the Temple community every day." 

With over 150 years of experience in the education industry, Follett is trusted by more than 1,000 campuses across the U.S and Canada to help drive student success and celebrate each school's unique brand. As the latest to join the Follett network, Temple University will benefit from Follett's industry perspective and expertise, giving the entire campus community a cohesive and engaging campus retail experience that truly reflects the Owl spirit.

"Follett creates impressive retail spaces that exude campus pride, excitement, connection, and achievement– and that's precisely what the Temple campus community will experience at the Temple University Bookstore," says Emmanuel Kolady, Follett Chief Executive Officer. "We look forward to supporting the vibrant Temple community and enhancing the overall student experience."

Follett's partnership brings an expanded assortment of merchandise, technology, and innovative solutions to the Temple community. Plans to feature products from local artists and special collections are in the works.

Visitors can enter the new two-story space inside Paley Hall from 13th Street and take the stairs down one level to shop the expanded selection. For details on the full breadth of the new campus store products and flexible services, visit https://www.bkstr.com/templestore/home.

About the Temple University Bookstore | https://www.temple.edu/ 
The Temple University Bookstore is solely devoted to serving the Temple community – offering products and services to Temple students and the local Philadelphia community both in-store and online via eFollett.com. The Temple University Bookstore is located at 1210 Polett Walk in Paley Hall. Stop in today to meet your campus store manager, Meghan Messner.

About Follett Higher Education | follett.com/
Follett Higher Education is a leading educational service provider and omnichannel retailer providing students, faculty and staff, parents, and fans the course materials, learning tools and retail services needed to successfully support the academic, athletic, and collegiate journey. Follett Higher Education supports over 7.5 million students through its 1,000+ physical and online collegiate retail stores across North America.

SOURCE Follett Higher Education Group LLC