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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000950138-05-000868.txt : 20050826
<SEC-HEADER>0000950138-05-000868.hdr.sgml : 20050826
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050826163102
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000950138-05-000868
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050825
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050826
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050826

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARNES & NOBLE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000890491
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-MISCELLANEOUS SHOPPING GOODS STORES [5940]
		IRS NUMBER:				061196501
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2126333300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVENUE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RIGGIO LEONARD
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000927587

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-12302
		FILM NUMBER:		051052400

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVE
		STREET 2:		C/O BARNES & NOBLE INC
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011
		BUSINESS PHONE:		2126333300

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		122 FIFTH AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10011
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>aug26_lriggio-4ex.xml
<DESCRIPTION>BN\2005\AUG FORM 4S\AUG 26 L RIGGIO-4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-08-25</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000890491</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BARNES &amp; NOBLE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BKS</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

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            <rptOwnerCik>0000927587</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RIGGIO LEONARD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O BARNES &amp; NOBLE INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>122 FIFTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10011</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
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        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chairman of the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

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                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
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            <transactionAmounts>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                    <value>150</value>
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    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Of these shares (i) 3,257,934 shares are owned indirectly through Barnes &amp; Noble College Booksellers, Inc., a New York
corporation of which all of the currently outstanding voting securities are owned by the Reporting Person, and (ii) 712,473
shares are owned indirectly in a rabbi trust established by the Issuer for the benefit of the Reporting Person.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Leonard Riggio</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-08-26</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----