Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
May 02, 2015	May 03, 2014
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (5,255)us-gaap_ProfitLoss	$ (6,002)us-gaap_ProfitLoss
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Foreign currency translation adjustments	29	52
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	29	52
Total comprehensive loss	(5,226)	(5,950)
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest	28	(424)
Comprehensive loss attributable to Books-A-Million	$ (5,254)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax	$ (5,526)us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax

Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income and other comprehensive income, attributable to parent entity. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax of increase (decrease) in equity from transactions and other events and circumstances from net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss), attributable to noncontrolling interests. Excludes changes in equity resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of gain (loss) on foreign currency translation adjustments, foreign currency transactions designated and effective as economic hedges of a net investment in a foreign entity and intra-entity foreign currency transactions that are of a long-term-investment nature.

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Amount after tax and reclassification adjustments of other comprehensive income (loss).

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The consolidated profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, including the portion attributable to the noncontrolling interest.

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