Limited Edition Tees by Public Library offer great inspiration for campus bookstores

We chose to show and discuss these tees NOT because they are limited edition. Not because they come from cult label Public Library. Nope, not even because they have cool graphics. We chose to show and discuss these tees because they are intended to raise awareness. Proceeds of the 3 styles of t-shirts go towards The Samburu Project, a not-for-profit organization that aids citizens in developing countries. Profits of these particular shirts go towards the water crisis in Kenya.

These t-shirts are a great example of something college & university bookstores could do to move product and engage the student consumers on campus. Why not hold a t-shirt design competition open to the students? For example: Ask students to submit suggestions for charity or eco organizations they wish to help (they are among one of the most eco-conscious age groups in the market). Select a winning charity. Then hold a graphic design competition open to all students. Select three winners and make short runs of their graphic designs on a few basic t-shirt styles and donate a portion of the profits to the charity chosen. Draw attention to the event by giving away a few t-shirts in-store with appearances made by the student designers. Tell the story of the design competition on hang-tags and in-store displays. Collaborate with the student newspaper or blogs.