8/27/09 Update:
I went to Borders tonight and was not required to show any form of identification to obtain the discount card. Guess I lugged my lesson plan binders and things all the way over there for nothing. In the words of the former teacher employee doing the presentation, "I've never met a person who has lied about being a teacher. Besides, you can tell a teacher just by looking at them." Ha ha, so true. They gave out snacks and free give-away books, stickers, and even a $25 gift card. Apparently even Borders is struggling to keep its head above water and is now heavily targeting the teacher and homeschooler audience. Since this is our only "local" bookstore around, I feel good about trying to support it. It's the only place I can go to look inside a book before purchasing it. Also the employees working there were extremely helpful and friendly. Often this Borders is staffed by retired teachers, which is wonderful. Additionally it is open until 11pm. One Saturday a month they have story hour at 10 am for the kids. The former teacher who I mention above is also a homeschooler now (for her grandson) and a Christian, so made sure to point out the section where they keep the children's Bibles and other Christian literature. (Her husband is a protestant pastor.) I've never been a huge fan before, but now I am. Great store, great staff, great discounts. Check it out.
Maybe I'm the only one who wasn't aware of this, but in case you didn't, Borders and Barnes & Noble bookstores both offer teacher discounts and those discounts extend to homeschool instructors as well!
We just need some sort of "proof" of homeschooling, such as curricula or lesson plans. Membership in a homeschool coop or group would also suffice. I spoke with "Chris," a manager at the Deptford Barnes & Noble and "Linda" at the Hamilton Twp. Borders, both of whom confirmed that bringing in teacher lesson plans would be good enough proof, but I will see what else I can dig up to bring along.
This Thursday evening at 7pm the Borders at the Hamilton Mall in Hamilton Township, NJ (near Mays Landing) is having an event at which teachers may sign up for the teacher discount cards. At Barnes & Noble you may do this at any time. There is a particular teacher discount form you will need to request in person.
Borders discount: 25% off*
Barnes & Noble discount: 20% off
I am psyched! Homeschoolers buy a ton of books since we receive no subsidies or assistance of any kind from the state or textbooks from the schools. Of course, this the way we want it and that's all fine since the reason we homeschool is educational and religious liberty. That's just to say we spend a small fortune in books. Let me say here that I love dealing with small family bookstores where they exist online (rarely elsewhere anymore), such as Emmanuel Books or others. And we do sometimes use Amazon, particularly when there is a used book we want to purchase. In any case, hooray for books and hooray for discounts!
* I was quoted 25% but the website says 20% for orders under $1000. I will find out for sure Thursday night.
I went to Borders tonight and was not required to show any form of identification to obtain the discount card. Guess I lugged my lesson plan binders and things all the way over there for nothing. In the words of the former teacher employee doing the presentation, "I've never met a person who has lied about being a teacher. Besides, you can tell a teacher just by looking at them." Ha ha, so true. They gave out snacks and free give-away books, stickers, and even a $25 gift card. Apparently even Borders is struggling to keep its head above water and is now heavily targeting the teacher and homeschooler audience. Since this is our only "local" bookstore around, I feel good about trying to support it. It's the only place I can go to look inside a book before purchasing it. Also the employees working there were extremely helpful and friendly. Often this Borders is staffed by retired teachers, which is wonderful. Additionally it is open until 11pm. One Saturday a month they have story hour at 10 am for the kids. The former teacher who I mention above is also a homeschooler now (for her grandson) and a Christian, so made sure to point out the section where they keep the children's Bibles and other Christian literature. (Her husband is a protestant pastor.) I've never been a huge fan before, but now I am. Great store, great staff, great discounts. Check it out.
Maybe I'm the only one who wasn't aware of this, but in case you didn't, Borders and Barnes & Noble bookstores both offer teacher discounts and those discounts extend to homeschool instructors as well!
We just need some sort of "proof" of homeschooling, such as curricula or lesson plans. Membership in a homeschool coop or group would also suffice. I spoke with "Chris," a manager at the Deptford Barnes & Noble and "Linda" at the Hamilton Twp. Borders, both of whom confirmed that bringing in teacher lesson plans would be good enough proof, but I will see what else I can dig up to bring along.
This Thursday evening at 7pm the Borders at the Hamilton Mall in Hamilton Township, NJ (near Mays Landing) is having an event at which teachers may sign up for the teacher discount cards. At Barnes & Noble you may do this at any time. There is a particular teacher discount form you will need to request in person.
Borders discount: 25% off*
Barnes & Noble discount: 20% off
I am psyched! Homeschoolers buy a ton of books since we receive no subsidies or assistance of any kind from the state or textbooks from the schools. Of course, this the way we want it and that's all fine since the reason we homeschool is educational and religious liberty. That's just to say we spend a small fortune in books. Let me say here that I love dealing with small family bookstores where they exist online (rarely elsewhere anymore), such as Emmanuel Books or others. And we do sometimes use Amazon, particularly when there is a used book we want to purchase. In any case, hooray for books and hooray for discounts!
* I was quoted 25% but the website says 20% for orders under $1000. I will find out for sure Thursday night.