Finding a specific book at a large bookstore like Barnes and Noble can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be! With a few simple tips and tricks, you can easily locate any book you’re looking for. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process step-by-step, from preparing beforehand to getting assistance from employees.
Check Online Inventory
Before you head to the store, the first thing you’ll want to do is check Barnes and Noble’s website to see if they have the book in stock at your local store. You can search by title, author or ISBN number to pull up inventory availability. This will save you time from having to trek there only to find out they don’t carry that particular title.
Barnes and Noble has an online inventory system connected to each individual store’s stock. By searching for the book on BN.com and entering your zip code, it will let you know if it’s available at your neighborhood location or can be ordered for delivery there.
You’ll also be able to see if the book is in the store but not on the shelves, meaning a staff member would need to retrieve it from a back room. Doing this quick online check gives you valuable information before embarking on your quest!
Head to the Information Desk
Once you arrive at Barnes and Noble, your first stop should be the customer service or information desk. Let the employee know the title and author you’re looking for and they can point you in the right direction.
Every store has a computerized inventory system that the staff behind the desk can access. They’ll be able to immediately tell you if your book is in stock and exactly what section or aisle number it’s located in.
This is much more efficient than wandering aimlessly around the massive store hoping you stumble upon it! The information desk is there for exactly this purpose, so don’t be afraid to take advantage of it.
Check the shelving end caps
End caps are the displays at the very end of each bookshelf. Barnes and Noble loves to place featured books face out on these highly visible shelving units. Before searching the entire row of shelves, check the end cap to see if your book happens to be showcased there.
Oftentimes staff will position hot new titles or books by well-known authors on the end caps even if the genre doesn’t match that section. It’s a great merchandising technique that increases discoverability and can help you more quickly spot what you’re looking for.
You’re most likely to find end cap displays in the fiction section, but they exist throughout the store. Glance at them as you move through each aisle to potentially save yourself some time.
Head to the section matching the genre
If your book isn’t on an end cap, the next step is go to the section that matches the genre or subject matter. Barnes and Noble has clearly labeled signs overhead that designate each type of book. Here are some of the most common genre sections you’ll find:
- Fiction
- Literature & Fiction
- Mystery & Thriller
- Romance
- Sci-Fi & Fantasy
- Young Adult
- Children’s
- History & Biographies
- Health & Self-Help
- Travel
- Cooking & Food
- Humor & Entertainment
- Sciences
- Business & Careers
- Test Prep & Education
Navigating to the bookshelf section that aligns with your title will bring you one step closer to finding it. Look on both sides of the aisle for alphabetical order. You may have to do some scanning and squatting to read spines on lower shelves!
Find it alphabetically by author’s last name
The final step is locating your book alphabetically by the author’s last name within the section. Barnes and Noble arranges all titles in this manner on each shelf.
If you know the author’s name, simply run your eyes across the rows looking for that letter range. You may have to move up or down aisles until finding the right spot. Check both sides each time.
Once in the correct letter vicinity, scan the entire shelf in that range before giving up. Books can sometimes be misshelved or out of order. Also keep an eye out for any alternate spellings or name variations.
Ask a bookseller for assistance
If you still can’t manage to locate your book after checking the online inventory, heading to the genre section, and looking alphabetically, your best bet is to ask a bookseller for assistance. Barnes and Noble staff members are there to help!
Explain to them the title and author you’ve been unsuccessfully searching for. Provide any other descriptive details you can, such as the genre, when it was published, and the book’s cover art.
The bookseller will then call up the inventory on a store computer to verify they have it in stock and narrow down where it’s supposed to be shelved. Sometimes shipments get delayed or books wind up misfiled.
They may lead you to the correct section if you’ve been looking in the wrong place. Or the bookseller can venture to the back room to see if it’s been misplaced there. Don’t hesitate to ask for help!
Try the children’s section upstairs
One special tip for Barnes and Noble stores that have two floors: children’s books and toys are almost always upstairs. Don’t waste time scouring the ground level kids’ section if you’re searching for a children’s title.
Head right to the escalator or stairs and navigate to the upper level where you’ll discover the much larger collection of children’s books. The genres and alphabetization work the same as the adult sections downstairs.
It’s an easy mistake for parents and gift-givers to make when unfamiliar with Barnes and Noble’s layout. Save time by remembering kids’ books will be found on the second story of two-level stores.
Check if it can be ordered
If after all of this you still have no luck finding your book, there is one last option – ordering it to the store. Ask a bookseller if they can place an order for that specific title to be delivered to that Barnes and Noble location.
As long as it’s available through the publisher and wholesaler, the bookseller can place the order. Within a few business days, your book will arrive at that store for you to purchase.
Yes, it’s a bit less instant gratification by having to wait. But in many cases it beats the alternative if the store simply doesn’t carry it. Then you’ll at least be able to get your hands on it within a week!
Don’t Leave Empty Handed
Searching high and low through a huge Barnes and Noble for one special book can be daunting. But there are tricks and techniques you can use to systematically track it down.
From leveraging the store’s online inventory to utilizing the Dewey Decimal-style system of genres and alphabetical ordering, you can methodically narrow your search.
And having staff members along the way to assist makes it much easier than trying to locate a needle in the haystack yourself. With their help, you’ll minimize frustration and walk out with the perfect book in hand.
Tips for Faster Browsing
Beyond hunting down a single specific title, there are ways to simply browse and shop the shelves at Barnes and Noble more efficiently no matter what you’re looking for:
- Grab a store map – Located at the front entrance, these maps show exactly what sections are found on each aisle to help you get your bearings.
- Ask about membership – Signing up for a free Barnes and Noble membership gets you exclusive member-only discounts and coupons.
- Download the mobile app – You can use the app to find titles, check inventory, make shopping lists, and even pay at checkout from your phone.
- Check aisle signage – The overhead signs marking each genre can guide you quickly to your area of interest.
- Follow special displays – Displays with messages like “New Releases” or “Staff Recommends” can highlight great finds.
By leveraging these tips, you’ll waste less time randomly wandering and have a more focused browsing experience. That will lead to finding more books you’ll love with less hassle.
Don’t Overlook the Nook
One more great shopping tip – don’t forget to check out Barnes and Noble’s Nook section! Nook is their eReader tablet device. The Nook display features:
- A variety of Nook models to choose from
- Nook accessories like cases and chargers
- Information on digital content, apps and subscriptions
- Nook-compatible eBooks and eMagazines
- Expert Nook buying advice
For avid readers, using a Nook is a convenient and cost-effective alternative to physical books. When browsing Barnes and Noble, swing through the Nook area or chat with a Nook-knowledgeable employee to learn more about the possibilities.
Don’t Leave Empty Handed
A trip to Barnes and Noble doesn’t have to be an exercise in frustration. With the right techniques, you can efficiently narrow down the inventory to find what you want. Tap into the tools available both online and in store to maximize success.
Getting stumped? Don’t hesitate to get assistance from the Barnes and Noble booksellers. Let their knowledge guide you to locating that perfect book – or discovering a new favorite you didn’t know existed.
With their passion for literacy and dedication to customers, the staff is there to ensure you leave satisfied, with a stack of shiny new reads in hand. So use our tips and ask for help. With the right strategy, you’ll find bookish gold at Barnes and Noble.
