Barnes & Noble Re-Launches SparkNotes.com

New York, NY - September 17, 2009 - Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the world's largest bookseller, announced today the online re-launch of SparkNotes, the number one study aid website that offers today's most popular study guides, discussion forums and learning aids to help students figure out any subject fast and have fun doing it. As students nationwide get back to their books, SparkNotes.com has geared up for the start of the school year with an updated user-friendly design; new and enhanced content and tools such as interactive quizzes, flashcards and polls; and advice and tips on all aspects of school life from a range of expert bloggers.

"SparkNotes is designed to help students make sense of their assignments in the fastest, most effective way while being as fun as possible, so they can quickly get to where they really want to be," said Mike Skagerlind, vice president and head of digital content for Barnes & Noble.com. "The newSparkNotes.com site provides students with a more enjoyable and effectivelearning experience. Our writers are experts in the subjects they cover andthey simplify and clarify what can be challenging material with the right blend of humor and enthusiasm that speaks directly to students."

SparkNotes' expanded content reflects that voice on a well-designed, easily navigable site which makes both school assignments and school life easily understandable for students, both inside and outside the classroom. SparkNotes.com's newest features include:

• Quick Quizzes for Top 20 Literature Study Guides - Each section of the top literature study guides will feature an interactive quiz at the section's end so students can easily test out what they have learned.

• Flashcards Application - Newly launched subjects for the flashcards application include English Vocabulary, U.S. History and Biology, with more to come. SparkNotes flashcards offer a "fast learning mode," designed according to scientific guidelines to be more effective than traditional ways to use flashcards.