Increased competition from Internet merchants, coupled with the swelling popularity of electronic books and skyrocketing textbook prices, is forcing the nation's college stores to get creative, find new ways to boost revenues, and drive sales of books and other merchandise to students and faculty. To make up for lost revenue as a result of increased competition from online vendors, college stores have to be creative, says Bill Edmunds, vice president of operations for Validis Resources, a division of Nebraska Book Company. Edmunds advises store managers to become more involved with the school and the community by supporting campus activities. Some campus stores hold poetry jams, book readings, or support athletic or other events through refreshments or promotions.