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The History of IACS

The idea of having a state bookstore association arose in 1969 when a few dedicated store managers saw the need for bringing together colleagues within the state of Illinois to discuss and find solutions to common problems and further educate themselves in the ever changing world of bookstore management.

The Illinois Association of College Stores was officially established on October 26, 1970 following a meeting of 21 college store managers in Springfield, Illinois. This non-profit organization exists for the benefit of the membership. Individual contribute to the operation of IACS by serving on committees, taking part in association activities and by letting the association officers know their desires. Participation of all members is encouraged.

Our Purpose

 

Service to its members is the most important function of the Illinois Association of College Stores. IACS serves its members by bringing together those people who are engaged in selling course materials, supplies, general merchandise, and other services to the students and faculties of educational institutions in Illinois and the Midwest. 

One of the most important services is educational programming. A minimum of one meeting, usually two days in length, is scheduled each year in the fall and hosted by different schools. These conferences consist of well planned program topics and feature member and guest speakers. Tours of the local bookstore(s) is often available so members have the opportunity to see different merchandising ideas and the products other stores have available. An occasional table top exhibit of associate members' merchandise may also be a feature on the program agenda. An informal dinner and evening of entertainment are usually a part of each meeting's program.

In addition, IACS issues a newsletter where meeting dates, job openings, bookstore surveys, current trends, and course materials, supply, general merchandise, or service information is published and shared. Any member seeking information may start and/or respond to a blog online in the members area. A membership directory is also available on the member resources page.

2023 IACS Officers & Board of Directors

 

President

Christine Klippert

Manager, Bookstore

College of Lake County

19351 W. Washington 

Grayslake, IL 60030

847.543.2278

cklippert@clcillinois.edu

 

Christine began her Bookstore Experience in 2009 as a temporary employee during rush(beginning of the semester).  She became full-time in 2012 working as an Operations Clerk overseeing cashiers, the website and collaborating with the store manager on projects.  She was then promoted to Manager in 2014 and since then has overseen remodels of two spaces as well as an operation change: Moving from  Open Stacks to Full Counter Service.  Her next endeavor is to bring Inclusive Access to the College as another way to save students money.

 

Vice President

OPEN-Send your nominations to Christine Klippert, cklippert@clcillinois.edu!

Title

College

Address

Telephone

email@email.com

 

Short Bio

 

Treasurer

Liz Schreiber

Lead Retail Associate and Buyer

College of Lake County

19351 W. Washington 

Grayslake, IL 60030

847.543.2803

ESnell@CLCILLINOIS.EDU

Liz began her career in the college bookstore industry in 2014 as the General Merchandise Buyer for the College of Lake County Bookstore. In 2020, she was promoted to the Lead Associate and Buyer where she helps oversee operations and continues to buy general merchandise for all 3 CLC campus store locations. Liz loves the college store industry and enjoys working with staff, students, and faculty throughout the college. In her spare time (when she’s not working her 2nd job), she likes reading, spending time with her husband and parents, visiting Florida, and playing with her 2 black cats.

 

Secretary

OPEN-Send your nominations to Christine Klippert, cklippert@clcillinois.edu!

Title

College

Address

Telephone

email@email.com

Associate Representative

Cary Caldwell

Digital Development Executive

Verba | Vital Source

227 Fayetteville Street, Suite 400

Raleigh, NC 27601

704.446.2054

cary.caldwell@vitalsource.com

 

Cary began her career in Higher Ed as the Merchandise Manager for Gardner-Webb University Campus Shop and was promoted to Assistant Manager within her first year of employment.  In 2012 she was named GWU Campus Shop Manager and was given the responsibility of the Campus Post Office and Concessions as well.  She has a true passion for helping bookstores find ways to increase student success.  Cary obtained her BA in Communications in 2005, and her MBA in 2008 from Gardner-Webb.  She has served on the National Association of College Stores Foundation Board, as well as, served as President for the College Stores Association of North Carolina.  She likes to spend her spare time with family and friends; fishing, hiking, playing games, sitting around a fire pit roasting marshmallows, listening to music, and watching her son and his friends play. 

 

Associate Representative

Dave Gliva

Bookstore Manager

Waubonsee Community College

Rt. 47 @ Waubonsee Drive

Sugar Grove, IL 60554

630.466.2909

dgliva@waubonsee.edu

Bio...

Associate Representative

Cecelia Noble

Director of Business Development

Akademos

200 Connecticut Avenue

Norwalk, CT 06854

630.842.1413

cnoble@akademos.com

Cecelia Noble is the Director of Business Development at Akademos. Cecelia joined Akademos where she brings over 9 years of experience in higher education, working directly with faculty, students, and administration on course content creation, implementation, and design. Cecelia is passionate about education and working with Saas implementation for student success and into a learning management system. Cecelia holds a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education and Teaching from Illinois State University.

Associate Representative

Tara Richardson

Operations Specialist

Kishwaukee College

21193 Malta Road

Malta, IL 60150

815.825.9445

trichardson2@kish.edu

Tara started as a dual credit high school student at Kishwaukee College, where she completed her education and started her career. She became the full-time Operations Assistant in 2008 and was later promoted to Operations Specialist. Tara, in a variety of roles, (and with her trusted colleague, the textbook buyer), handles the day-to-day running of the Kish Bookstore. She is the General Merchandise buyer, merchandising lead, website specialist, customer service specialist, and more. As Kishwaukee College has undergone change over the years, Tara has been there for many major developments, including the construction of a new larger bookstore, the downsizing of storage/backstock areas, cross-training with the Printing and Mail Services team, and more. In recent years, the Bookstore has become a one-stop shop and is now the only food source on campus. Tara has led the efforts to source grab-and-go entrees for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She has coordinated with local businesses to sell pastries, popcorn, ice cream, and more. Tara consistently implements creative solutions and new ideas.

When not at work, she is busy raising two wonderful girls with her partner of 17 years. They love anything outdoors and go kayaking, four-wheeling, hunting, fishing, and horse riding. Spending time with family and friends is their priority.

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

Mike Goodwin

Account Representative

Texas Books

mgoodwin@texasbook.com

Kelli Golembeski

Account Executive

L2 brands

kelli.golembeski@l2brands.com

Cary Caldwell

Digital Development Executive

Verba | Vital Source

cary.caldwell@vitalsource.com

CONSTITUTION COMMITTEE

Jill Christy

Hammes Bookstore Manager

Kankakee Community College

jchristy@kcc.edu

Alyssa Boaz

Bookstore Text Buyer

Illinois Valley Community College

alyssa_boaz@ivcc.edu

MEETING/ANNUAL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

Cody Lopez

Regional Sales Manager, Central Region

Redshelf

cody@redshelf.com

Scott Baseler

Retail Assistant Manager

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

sbaseler@illinois.edu

EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Helen Nakos

Manager Bookstore & Auxiliary Support Services

Joliet Junior College

hnakos@jjc.edu

Cody Lopez

Regional Sales Manager, Central Region

Redshelf

cody@redshelf.com

Christine Klippert

Manager, Bookstore

College of Lake County

cklippert@clcillinois.edu

CURRENT MEMBERS

Joliet Junior College

Illinois Valley Community College

College of Lake County

Kankakee Community College

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Highland Community College

Moraine Valley Community College

McHenry Community College

Elgin Community College

Eastern Illinois University

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

Illinois Eastern Community Colleges

Lincoln Land Community College

Waubonsee Community College

Kishwaukee Community College

Augustana College

Aurora University

Eureka College

Verba | Vital Source

Redshelf

L2 brands

Re-Focus The Creative Office

Signature Announcements

Spectrum Uniforms

Hamelin Brands

Lad Custom Publishing

CI SPORT

DR Instruments

JP Sales

Oak Hall

Bob Haskins & Associates

Dawn Dubow

Nebraska Books

MBS Books

Independent College Bookstore Association

National Association of College Stores

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