BibliU, a company that provides campus store management and course materials delivery services, has signed agreements with Central Carolina Community College, Mitchell Community College and Southwestern Community College, expanding its presence to 13 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System beginning in Summer Term 2026.
The partnerships reflect efforts by community colleges in the state to replace traditional bookstore and course material models with systems designed to deliver learning content through institutional platforms while simplifying retail operations. Under the new agreements, the colleges will combine campus store services with course material delivery that includes learning management system integration, online and physical retail operations, and course material programs tied to student enrollment.
For Central Carolina Community College, a public two year institution serving Chatham, Harnett and Lee counties, the move involves replacing an existing arrangement managed by a legacy vendor. The college said affordability and student outcomes were key factors in the decision and estimates that the partnership will save students hundreds of thousands of dollars each year.
The institution plans to implement a flat fee, per credit hour model for required course materials, providing access from the first day of class. The initiative also includes support for Open Educational Resources and integration with the college's learning management system.
"CCCC is excited to partner with BibliU to offer our students top-notch service, the best available learning materials at an affordable price, and enhanced digital access and connectivity to continue delivering a first-class learning opportunity," said Drew Goodson, Associate VP, Financial Services & CFO at CCCC.
Mitchell Community College, which offers approximately 40 associate degree programs along with diploma, certificate and workforce training options, is moving away from an internally operated bookstore. According to the college, managing inventory, freight costs and staffing requirements created operational challenges under the previous model.
The new arrangement shifts inventory risk and administrative responsibilities to BibliU while consolidating course material procurement through a single provider. Mitchell also plans to use engagement analytics from the platform to identify students who may require additional academic support and to support objectives outlined in its 2023-2028 Strategic Plan.
Southwestern Community College, which serves Jackson, Macon and Swain counties as well as the Qualla Boundary in western North Carolina, is also transferring campus store operations to BibliU. The institution will introduce a flat fee, per credit hour course materials model intended to provide students with access to required materials at the start of each term while maintaining faculty control over course content selection.
The project includes updates to both physical and online retail operations, along with expanded merchandise offerings and changes to the college's ecommerce capabilities.
“We are partnering with BibliU to modernize our campus store and streamline course material accessibility,” said Dr. Barbara Putman, SCC's Executive Vice President for Instruction & Student Services. "Students having course materials available at the start of classes is key to their success. The BibliU team shares our focus on student success and making materials available and affordable while retaining faculty flexibility in selecting quality, current course materials to support learning."
Dave Sherwood, CEO and Co-founder of BibliU, said the company's expansion reflects changing priorities among community colleges seeking to balance affordability, access to course materials and financial sustainability.
"North Carolina's community colleges are leading a fundamental rethink of how campus retail and course materials should work, not alongside students, but for them,” said Sherwood. “Reaching 13 institutions across the state reflects a growing recognition that affordability, Day 1 access, and fiscal sustainability aren't competing priorities. With the right partner, they're all achievable."
The three agreements extend BibliU's footprint across North Carolina as colleges continue evaluating alternatives to legacy bookstore models and traditional approaches to course material distribution.
