The Follett Higher Education Group  is assuming management of the DU Bookstore next week. The company will begin revamping the bookstore by offering a larger selection of textbooks, online resources and a new assortment of merchandise.

The bookstore will be closed for eight days, beginning Sunday and going through March 5, as the company installs its new programs, but it will be open for students before the beginning of spring quarter. The new bookstore will reopen under the Follet name.

“Moving in is kind of an involved process,” said Brent Smith, regional manager of the Follett Education Group. “We have to switch systems within the store, bring in a training team and do all our merchandising.”

According to Smith, the bookstore will be open during textbook buyback, which typically occurs the last week of the quarter.

“Student can go in and take care of that as usual,” said Smith.

While ownership of the bookstore will change, all current employees have received an offer to keep their jobs at the same pay.

There will be a larger selection of textbooks, along with many more rent programs and digital access opportunities after the renovations are complete. Follett currently has the largest rent project in the country, providing about 200 million books through the program. According to Smith, DU will see an expansion of its rental program to include about twice as many books. They also expect to make more books available through digital access.

“We want books to be available through all options whenever possible,” Smith said. “We are really focusing on having a vibrant, strong rental program.”

According to Smith, students will be able to save more money due to the rental programs as well as a planned loyalty program, which will give students special deals on books and merchandise based on past purchases. They will also be offering more merchandise and products.

Sophomore Heidi Ebert said she was against the change.

“If I want cheaper books I can go through Amazon,” said Ebert. “Otherwise, I’d rather support smaller businesses and DU.”

Smith said Follet is looking to bring a larger selection of merchandise for students.

“We are looking to create a bigger, broader selection of general merchandise,” said Smith.

“We want new types of clothing, stronger brand imaging. We really believe in sustainability.”

To prepare for the new ownership, the bookstore is selling all of its merchandise and focusing on clearing out before next week. When Follett takes over, the bookstore will delete its social outlets as well, including its Facebook account. However, Follett plans to make social media presence a big part of its ownership, according to Smith.

Over the summer, Follett will also be doing major renovations to the layout of the bookstore, so students can expect it to look very different when they return.

“I predict there will be some pretty major changes,” said Smith.