LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)—the largest higher education institution in the Commonwealth, serving over 110,000 students across 16 colleges and 70 campuses—has selected BibliU to manage campus store operations and streamline course material access.
The partnership follows KCTCS’s 20+ year relationship with Barnes & Noble Education (BNED) and represents a major step forward in the system’s shift toward a refreshed approach to content and campus retail. This systemwide agreement supports a hybrid campus store model that supports KCTCS’s mission to expand opportunity and remove barriers to education while advancing its goals around affordability, first-day access, and financial sustainability.
As a pioneer in providing access to higher education for all Kentuckians, KCTCS is expanding that foundation with BibliU by enhancing affordability while introducing deeper analytics and a higher standard of service across all campuses.
With BibliU Access, KCTCS students will continue to receive Day 1 access to required course materials at significant savings compared with traditional textbook models. The BibliU platform integrates directly with Blackboard, enabling seamless online and offline access on any device through a modern, accessible eReader with features such as text-to-speech, highlighting, and content-specific search. By simplifying access and reducing technical barriers, the platform helps KCTCS students and faculty focus on learning, not logistics.
With BibliU Analytics, faculty and administrators gain real-time visibility into content engagement and usage, offering early insight into student participation and outcomes. These insights help KCTCS educators identify at-risk students early, spot engagement trends, and make data-informed decisions that improve learning experiences. Faculty can see which materials are most accessed, where engagement drops off, and how usage patterns align with course performance—turning data into actionable strategies for student success.
BibliU will work with system leadership to coordinate centralized technology integrations, driving consistency, efficiency, and shared infrastructure across all 16 colleges. At the same time, the model empowers each KCTCS college to design the right solution for its community, offering flexibility across online and on-campus experiences.
Each institution can tailor its store experience locally, curating specialized merchandise, community partnerships, and branding that reflect its unique culture. Drawing on five decades of campus retail expertise, BibliU will oversee both physical and online operations to deliver a seamless, high-quality experience for students and staff alike.
From simplified fulfilment to vibrant, community-driven retail spaces, BibliU’s approach transforms each store into an extension of campus life—one that blends affordability, convenience, and connection.
“KCTCS is setting a new benchmark for how community and technical colleges can serve their students,” said Dave Sherwood, CEO and Co-founder of BibliU. “Their leadership team understands that affordability and access go hand in hand with innovation. Together, we’re reimagining the role of the campus store—transforming it from a transactional space into a digital and physical hub that reflects each college’s community and values.”
BibliU’s dedicated implementation and account management teams will work closely with KCTCS leaders and campus staff to ensure a seamless rollout and long-term success across all 16 colleges. The model also strengthens financial sustainability and administrative efficiency, helping KCTCS achieve long-term growth while maintaining affordability for students.
About Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS)
The Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) consists of a network of 16 regional colleges with more than 70 campuses dedicated to serving communities across the commonwealth. As Kentucky’s largest provider of workforce training and postsecondary education, KCTCS enrolls more than 110,000 students annually. United in mission and purpose, KCTCS and its colleges are committed to improving the lives of students, strengthening communities and advancing the prosperity of Kentucky’s citizens. Learn more at kctcs.edu.
About BibliU
BibliU is a leading provider of comprehensive campus store solutions focused on improving affordability and accessibility in higher education. Through its innovative access programs and campus store management services, BibliU partners with more than 150 institutions globally to streamline content delivery, reduce costs, enhance student success, and improve the overall academic experience. Learn more at bibliu.com.
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