September 16, 2004

Stuart Matthews
8523 Howard Street
Savage, MD 20763

Mr. Matthews,
I am the buyer in the bookstore who handles newspapers and your letter was forwarded to me from the OTC. I certainly understand your concerns about the newspaper prices. Last year the Baltimore Sun took over distribution of all papers in the Baltimore area (including the Washington Post, New York Times and Washington Times). When this distribution change occurred, the prices- for all the “out of town” papers increased to us. The bookstore doe not view these newspapers as a way to make money but as a service to our customers and the UMBC community. We have tried to keep the papers at the lowest possible price but we are paying The Baltimore Sun more to handle them.

Sincerely,
Gail Dupree/Gifts & Supplies Manager