PA State Bookstore to Close, Online-Only Sales Planned

Store in Commonwealth Keystone Building to Close March 25

HARRISBURG, Pa., March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania State Bookstore, located in the Commonwealth Keystone Building, 400 North St., Harrisburg, will close on March 25, the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) said today.

Publications, including those produced by various state agencies, commercial publishers and academic presses, will be available online at www.PABookstore.com, a partnership of PHMC and the Pennsylvania Heritage Society.

"While the bookstore has provided a service to Pennsylvanians for many years, we need to embrace new business models," said Barbara Franco, PHMC executive director. "Moving all sales online makes perfect sense at this time and opens us up to customers beyond Pennsylvania."

The move to online-only sales comes at a time when many traditional bookstores are closing and e-book readers such as the Kindle, Nook and iPad are becoming more popular. Select titles will be available at The State Museum Store, scheduled to open later this year at The State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St. PHMC's wholesale sales operation will not be affected.

Over the next few months, PABookstore.com will transition to ShopPAHeritage.com in an effort to expand its offerings beyond books to merchandise associated with exhibits at historic sites and museums along the Pennsylvania Trails of History™, a network of 25 state-owned museums operated by PHMC in partnership with local support organizations, and merchandise relating to statewide commemorations such as the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War.

The Pennsylvania State Bookstore is offering deeply discounted publications and selected merchandise through March 25. Operating hours are noon to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Media contact: Howard Pollman, 717-705-8639

SOURCE Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission