Two Los Rios Campuses to Shut Down Bookstores
Los Rios Community College District will shut down bookstores at Cosumnes River College (CRC) and Folsom Lake College (FLC) by July 1, 2026. This decision means that students at these campuses will need to find alternative sources for books and school supplies.
Changes in Bookstore Availability
Gabe Ross, the chief strategy and communications officer for Los Rios, stated that the closures are a response to changing student needs. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of students have opted for online classes. This trend, along with an increase in free online resources provided by faculty, has led to decreasing revenues for campus bookstores.
Impact on Remaining Campuses
With CRC and FLC closing their bookstores, American River College (ARC) and Sacramento City College (SCC) will remain open. They are expected to accommodate the additional foot traffic, although Ross indicated that the district does not foresee problems arising from this change. He emphasized that ARC and SCC are the largest and most centrally located colleges within the district.
- Bookstore closures at CRC and FLC are effective July 1, 2026.
- ARC and SCC will continue to operate their bookstores.
- The shift is prompted by a rise in online learning and free resources.
Future of Bookstore Operations
Los Rios has put out a public request for proposals from vendors specializing in college bookstore management. The new model will prioritize the two remaining in-person bookstores at ARC and SCC, coupled with online order options for all students across campuses.
While specific details on how the changes will impact ARC’s bookstore are still unclear, Kaitlyn Colignon, the public information officer at ARC, noted that they expect to support both their own students and those from other campuses who wish to utilize in-person services.
Repurposing Bookstore Spaces
As CRC and FLC prepare for the closure of their bookstores, both colleges are collaborating with their communities to determine how best to repurpose the spaces currently occupied by the “Hawk’s Nest” and “Falcon’s Roost.” The goal is to create new facilities or services that will benefit students moving forward.
