A bookstore which offers e-books alongside traditional printed material officially opened on Friday at the National University of Singapore's (NUS) University Town.

Situated in the Stephen Riady Centre, the 4,000 square feet store is dominated by printed books, but has a section dedicated to e-books, where patrons can make purchases using tablets.

There is also a cafe, a section for NUS merchandise and a digital lifestyle section which sells smartphones and tablets.

The store is a joint venture by the World Scientific Publishing Company and NUS Co-op, and aims to encourage students to gather and exchange ideas.

"We are blurring the line between formal and informal learning," said NUS president Dr Tan Chorh Chuan at the launch event. "The whole University Town was built with diversity and interaction in mind, and Bookhaven is no exception."