Better World Books Selected as Official Bookseller of "Greening the Campus" Conference

ATLANTA, GA (September 16, 2009) - Better World Books announces today that it has been chosen as the official bookseller of the 8th biennial "Greening the Campus" conference (GOC VIII), to be held September 20th - 23rd at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. As the official bookseller, Better World Books, an online retailer of new and used books that helps to fund literacy initiatives worldwide, will be hosting keynote speakers for book signings throughout the conference.

Jointly hosted by Ball State University and the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Greening the Campus will bring together over 750 campus administrators, faculty, staff, students and community members to discuss how to effectively raise awareness, enhance the understanding, and cultivate the ability to manage the complex issues of sustainability on college campuses. The focus this year will be on embracing change.

"Better World Books is a leader in green business practices," said Robert J. Koester, Co-Chair of GOC VIII and AASHE Board Member. "Along with their continued support of colleges and universities across the country, their passion for the environment makes them a natural fit for Greening the Campus."

"Green initiatives have been a vital part of Better World Books since our inception," said David Murphy, CEO of Better World Books. "As a company that grew from the vision of college students, we know firsthand the power of young people working together toward a common goal, and we're proud to support such an important environmental cause."

Since its founding in 2003, Better World Books has diverted over 29 million pounds of books from landfills and achieved over 9,000 tons of carbon offsets through carbon-neutral shipping.

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ABOUT BETTER WORLD BOOKS
Better World Books (www.BetterWorldBooks.com) is a for-profit social enterprise that collects and sells books online with each sale generating funds for literacy initiatives in the U.S. and around the world. With more than three million new and used titles in stock, Better World Books is a self-sustaining company that balances the social, economic and environmental values of its stakeholders. Better World Books diverts books from landfills by conducting book drives on 1,800 college campuses, and by collecting discards from over 1,800 libraries nationwide. Since its founding in 2003, the Mishawaka, Ind.-based company has raised $6.5 million for its non-profit literacy, library and college partners; donated over 1.3 million college textbooks; diverted more than 25 million pounds of books from landfills; achieved over 9,000 tons of carbon offsets through carbon-neutral shipping, and created more than 200 full-time jobs with meaningful benefits.

ABOUT AASHE
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is an association of colleges and universities that are working to create a sustainable future. Our mission is to empower higher education to lead the sustainability transformation. We do this by providing resources, professional development, and a network of support to enable institutions of higher education to model and advance sustainability in everything they do, from governance and operations to education and research. AASHE defines sustainability in an inclusive way, encompassing human and ecological health, social justice, secure livelihoods, and a better world for all generations. AASHE is a member-driven, independent 501(c)(3). Membership in AASHE covers every individual at an institution.

ABOUT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY
Ball State University (BSU) is situated on 940 acres in Muncie, Indiana, and serves approximately 19,000 students. Ball State is continually acknowledged for its sustainability efforts. From using biodiesel fuel to incorporating hybrid cars into its fleet of vehicles, to establishing recycling and composting programs, to its recent decision to install a geothermal system for district heating and cooling of some 45 buildings on campus. Currently under construction and slated for completion in 5-7 years, this is the largest such system in the continental U.S.; and it will enable BSU eliminate coal combustion on campus thus reducing GHG emissions by some 50%

BSU President Jo Ann M. Gora is one of the 12 founding members of the leadership circle who signed the American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment. The commitment positions Ball State to undertake climate action task force planning with a goal of climate neutrality. Our Council on the Environment, which was established in 1991 and is the longest standing green committee within Indiana's higher education community, was recognized by U.S. Sen. Richard Lugar in 2007 with the Energy Patriot Award.

We continue to move forward with our eco-minded efforts, including the requirement for all new campus construction to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, as outlined in Education Redefined: Strategic Plan 2007-2012.

Ranked as one of the nation's top 75 green universities in Kiwi magazine's 2008 "Green College Report," the university is recognized for efforts that include offering classes in global climate change, environmental disruption, and policy analysis and environmental economics.