NEW YORK (AP) — The one-time bookselling giant Barnes & Noble is being acquired by a hedge fund for $476 million. The national chain that many blamed for the demise of independent bookstores has been ravaged by Amazon.com and other online sellers. Independent bookstores have also persisted in the face of digital publishing. The company said in October that it might put itself up for sale after it was approached by a number of potential buyers, including founder Leonard Riggio who opened Barnes & Noble stores across the country and turned it into a superstore.