The Lancaster Bible College Campus Store is announcing some exciting changes in the spring of 2024! As of April 1, a new college store partner, Slingshot, has assumed operations of what was formerly known as Bookends to provide a refreshed space with several new lines of LBC-branded merchandise and gifts. Slingshot will also provide mail services on LBC’s main campus.

Bookends Bookstore has been proudly owned by LBC since 2010. As educational opportunities at LBC’s main campus, online and at urban sites continues to grow, the Slingshot partnership will strengthen and enhance the student experience, not only for on-campus undergraduate students but also for those enrolled in online, hybrid, seminary, graduate and doctoral programs.

Retail Services Manager Ky-Leigh Leighty (’14), who will continue in her role, said many upgrades and benefits are in store for LBC students, parents and alumni through this change.

Campus Store Benefits

• Smooth process: Slingshot is committed to making the textbook buying process easy and streamlined.
• Easy buyback: Selling back textbooks from previous courses is also a seamless process.
• Rent or buy: Students will now have the option to rent their textbooks!
• Go digital: Students can also download digital course materials if they choose.
• Serving all students: Regardless of the location or level, all LBC | Capital students are served through Slingshot.
• Cost savings: Because Slingshot searches for the best possible prices, students can realize some cost savings.
• Automatic: LBC students studying online, in Washington, D.C., or Philadelphia are not only automatically enrolled in a free subscription-based service called Slingshot Choice, but their course materials are also automatically ordered and shipped to them before classes start each term—all the books and none of the hassle!

New on-campus undergraduate students will also be enrolled in the Slingshot Choice program free of charge during summer 2024, while returning on-campus students will have the option to participate in Slingshot Choice at no cost as well. Slingshot Choice will replace the current Textbook 1-2-3 program.

“Slingshot will also provide course materials through the physical campus store model as well as online to ensure all LBC students have access to their needed materials so they can succeed in their courses,” Leighty said. “Slingshot’s goal is to offer every single student, every single course material, by the first day of class, at an affordable price. We’re excited for this change that will streamline the book-ordering process for our students.”

Slingshot started in 1997 in a small city in Indiana. Founders Darren and Nancy Campbell. along with her parents and sister. opened a 1200-square-foot bookstore coffee shop in a Walmart shopping plaza. They had a heart for the local college students and wanted a place where people could come together and meet, grab a coffee and find resources they needed for classes at the local Christian colleges. At the time, they didn’t know their small family business would one day become a team of over 350 people who impact thousands of students’ learning experiences across the country. Read more about this family-founded and faith-based business at Slingshot’s 25th anniversary article, “A Heart for Students & Affordable Course Materials.”

In plenty of time for the online summer session beginning May 6, all LBC students can now access their Slingshot account through the following steps:

1. Visit slingshotedu.com/student-login.

2. Click the “Log In” button in the top right corner of the home screen.

3. Use your student login or your full student email address and student ID as the password.

4. View or adjust your course material subscription preference selection under the “My Account” tab, such as whether you would like your books new, used or digital. You can also update your shipping preference to ensure books are delivered exactly where you would prefer.

5. No need to place an order! If you opt in on the “My Account” page, Slingshot will automatically handle everything and deliver to your campus residence or ship all required course materials right to you before your class start date.

Students who choose to opt out of the Slingshot program can still buy books a la carte from the LBC store either online or in person.

For more information, check out the new online LBC store site, offering both books and merchandise, at lbccampusstore.com. Those with questions can email support@slingshotedu.com.