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Shareholders' Equity - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Jan. 31, 2015
May 03, 2014
Jan. 25, 2014
May 15, 2007
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Remaining authorized repurchase amount $ 2,471us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingAuthorizedRepurchaseAmount1      
Treasury stock, shares 34,580,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares 34,364,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares 34,295,000us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares  
Treasury stock, at cost 1,073,424us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue 1,069,109us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue 1,067,641us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue  
Maximum        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Number of shares authorized to be repurchase       400,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramAuthorizedAmount1
/ us-gaap_RangeAxis
= us-gaap_MaximumMember
Stock Repurchase Program        
Class of Stock [Line Items]        
Treasury stock, shares 34,580,019us-gaap_TreasuryStockShares
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= bks_StockRepurchaseProgramMember		      
Treasury stock, at cost $ 1,073,424us-gaap_TreasuryStockValue
/ us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis
= bks_StockRepurchaseProgramMember