By Angela Twining
While wandering through the BYU Bookstore this week, some students may have been surprised to hear and see some classic movie scenes -- 'No more rhyming now, I mean it! Anybody want a peanut?'
Eleven television sets have been running since Feb. 17, providing entertainment to students, employees and other passers-by, said Rowdy Symons, creative director for the BYU Bookstore. The bookstore''s network has been named 'Y-TV' and the final count of televisions expected is 13.
'Their biggest purpose is for entertainment and information,' Symons said. He said he is excited for all the possibilities the televisions hold.
Symons said the televisions will help lines seem to move faster for students. They will be especially useful on the textbook floor while students are in line for book buybacks and purchases.
He said the bookstore plans on using the televisions to integrate campus better.
They will show information reels listing events on campus, specials in the bookstore and devotionals for the employees who cannot leave during Devotional hour.
Bookstore employees are contacting the BYU animation and film departments so students can show their final projects on the bookstore''s network, he said.
'We will be able to do lots of things we haven''t been able to do before,' Symons said. The bookstore will also broadcast General Conference and Women''s Conference.
In the first week, the televisions have already shown things like 'Monty Python and the Search for the Holy Grail,' 'Toy Story 2,' 'Princess Bride' clips, ESPN and CNN.
'It was sure nice to see people smile,' Symons said.
Roger Reynolds, director for the BYU Bookstore, said he is also excited for the creative possibilities.
'There are a lot of stories we have to tell -- hanging up posters just doesn''t catch attention anymore,' he said.
Reynolds said this technology is where retail is going. The Disney and Warner Brothers stores all have video walls, as does Cornell University, where Reynolds used to work.
It is a strategic move, Reynolds said. When customers come into the store, hopefully the televisions will entice them to stay, he said.
Jesse Aldous, 22, a junior from Draper, Salt Lake County, said when he has a choice of which way to walk home, the televisions will persuade him to walk home through the bookstore.
'If they show movies like this, they should expect a crowd,' Aldous said while watching Monty Python.
Aldous said the idea is a good one. By trying to please students, the bookstore can expect better business, he said.