Big Lots 2009 Annual Report Download - page 17

- 2 -
Internet Availability of Proxy Materials
In accordance with rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), instead of mailing a
printed copy of our proxy materials to each shareholder of record, we may furnish our proxy materials, including
the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders, this Proxy Statement and our Annual Report to Shareholders, by
providing access to such documents on the Internet. Generally, shareholders will not receive printed copies of the
proxy materials unless they request them.
A Notice of Internet Availability that provides instructions for accessing our proxy materials on the Internet was
mailed directly to registered shareholders. The Notice of Internet Availability also provides instructions regarding
how registered shareholders may vote their common shares on the Internet. Registered shareholders who prefer
to receive a paper or email copy of our proxy materials should follow the instructions provided in the Notice of
Internet Availability for requesting such materials.
For beneficial shareholders, a notice directing you to the website at which you will find our proxy materials has
been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other holder of record who is considered, with respect to those
common shares, the registered shareholder. Your broker, bank or other holder of record should also provide to
you instructions on how you may request a paper or email copy of our proxy materials, if you prefer. Beneficial
shareholders have the right to direct their broker, bank or other holder of record on how to vote their common
shares by following the voting instructions they received from their broker, bank or other holder of record.
To enroll in the electronic delivery service for future shareholder meetings, use your Notice of Internet Availability (or
proxy card, if you received printed copies of the proxy materials) to register online at www.proxyvote.com and, when
prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access shareholder communications electronically in future years.
Attendance at the Annual Meeting
All of our shareholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, may attend the Annual Meeting. Registration
and seating will begin at 8:30 a.m. EDT, and the Annual Meeting will begin at 9:00 a.m. EDT. If you attend, please note that
you may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. Cameras, recording devices
and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting. Please also note that if you hold your common
shares as a beneficial shareholder, you will need to check in at the Annual Meeting registration desk and present a copy of a
brokerage or bank statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date.
How to Vote
After receiving the Notice of Internet Availability (or proxy card, if you received printed copies of the proxy
materials), registered shareholders are urged to visit www.proxyvote.com to access our proxy materials. You will
have the opportunity to vote your common shares online at www.proxyvote.com until May 26, 2010 at 11:59 p.m.
EDT. When voting online, you must follow the instructions posted on the website and you will need the control
number included on your Notice of Internet Availability (or proxy card, if applicable). If, after receiving the Notice
of Internet Availability, you request (via toll-free telephone number, e-mail or online) that we send you paper or
electronic copies of our proxy materials, you may vote your common shares by completing, dating and signing
the proxy card and returning it in accordance with the instructions provided. If you properly complete your proxy
online or you complete, date, sign and return your proxy card on or before May 26, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, your
common shares will be voted as you direct. If you are a registered shareholder and attend the Annual Meeting, you
may deliver your completed proxy card in person.
A registered shareholder may revoke a proxy at any time before it is exercised by filing with our Corporate
Secretary a written notice of revocation or duly executing a proxy bearing a later date. A registered shareholder
may also revoke a proxy by attending the Annual Meeting and giving written notice of revocation to the secretary
of the meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself revoke a previously granted proxy.
Beneficial shareholders should follow the procedures and directions set forth in the materials they will receive from
the broker, bank or other holder of record who is the registered holder of their common shares (i) to instruct such
registered holder how to vote those common shares or (ii) to revoke previously given voting instructions. Please
contact your broker, bank or other holder of record to determine the applicable deadlines. Beneficial shareholders
who wish to vote at the Annual Meeting will need to obtain a completed form of proxy from the broker, bank or
other holder of record who is the registered holder of their common shares.