Mystery And Thrills Attracted Readers To Library’s Annual Book Sale

By Kendra Bobowick

Offering a world of thrills and fantasies where both historic figures and characters of fiction hid beneath the dust jackets were the treasures lining the tables at 32nd Annual Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Used Book Sale, presented June 30 to July 4 at Reed Intermediate School.

Friend and sale volunteer HD Bassett placed thrillers in alphabetical order while one aisle away Kelly Jones, filling a shopping bag and caught in a world of fantasy as she looked for something to read on the dozens of sales tables set up at the school. Shoppers started walking away from the building on Saturday, having found some of their favorite stories or even rare or collectible titles. In all, the annual book sale had something for everyone who perused the thousands of books filling the lobby, cafetorium, and gymnasium.

Walking behind her granddaughter and helping 6-year-old Erin Mitchel with a selection was Judy Smith, who noted that the young Sandy Hook resident has been coming to the sale each year. Cheshire resident Bob Berger also sorted through the endless titles looking for something to take home. Debbie Keller and her daughters Jessica and Cassidy spent some time Monday morning replenishing their reading supplies.

Children’s fiction, children’s non-fiction, sports, thrillers, biographies, business, finance, careers, animals, medicine, family, reference, and more categories filled boxes and tabletops, and sat piled along the walls as mothers brought their children to find summer-reading materials. As collectors possibly added to their stash, and the curious in general found something of interest for the beach, teachers could wander the children’s section looking for material to use in the classroom next year. Most importantly, the revenue will support the library.

One of the sale’s coordinators, Denise Kaiser, noted that past years have generated “a little over or a little under $100,000.”

“It is money the library needs desperately,” she said. By Monday, July 2, Friends President Mary Maki believed that each day’s sales exceeded the daily tally from last year.

As volunteers helped shoppers find what they were looking for in the estimated 100,000 to 150,000 donated books on sale, Ms Kaiser looked around the cafetorium filled with shoppers on Monday.

“We have many more [guests] than last year. It’s been a steady crowd and sales are up,” she said. Several pieces added to the success.

“Weather, location, and the fact that we accept credit cards makes it easier for the patrons,” Ms Kaiser said. “Now that we’re in the second year in this building and on this date, residents know where to find us.”

Previous sales had been held at Bridgeport Hall on the Fairfield Hills campus once the sale outgrew the library grounds. The sale was relocated to Reed School last year.

This year’s sale also marked the second time for another significant change in tradition since the sale was changed from Labor Day to the Independence Day weekend. This is also the first year that a credit card machine was used at the register, said Friend Peg Jacques, who runs the library’s Book Nook.

Friend and book sale coordinator Peter Stern vouched that the sports section was doing well, and looked toward the rest of the week with anticipation. Tuesday’s books were $5 for a bag, and Wednesday touted a free book day.

“The day serves two purposes,” he said. “One, it helps us clear the books and two, a lot of people who come for the books are from organizations that need them.” The Bridgeport Housing Authority was the first organization to come to his mind. Mr Stern also said, “Free day is also the ‘good feeling’ day. You feel good about where the books go.”  Smiling, he continued, “It’s also less for us to lift.”

Giving the sale a large boost was the sale of 1,700 books to local interior designer Billy Ceglia Designs. The books were used in Mr Ceglia’s design of a library in a Designer’s Showcase held at a Long Island estate, according to a recent release.

The sale ended on July 4. Total sales were not available at the time this newspaper went to press.