Full Text:

Volunteers Help Write Another Chapter For Booth Library Book Sale

(with cut)

BY JAN HOWARD

It takes a lot of people, many of whom who work behind the scenes, to put

together a book sale the size of the one planned for Labor Day weekend.

Some of the volunteers were hard at work last week in Bridgeport Hall on the

campus of the former Fairfield Hills Hospital, setting up the thousands of

books and recordings to be offered in the annual event.

Two of the volunteers were surrounded by boxes and boxes of books that needed

to be categorized and put in place on the tables.

Julie Starkweather was immersed in what had to be thousands of paperback

books. It has been her job for the past four years to put the estimated 20,000

paperbacks in order.

This year, the tables were available early, Ms Starkweather said, so the books

are able to be set up earlier. The books were brought to Bridgeport Hall from

the library two weeks ago.

"I alphabetize them by author in categories," Ms Starkweather said as she

systematically placed books by the same author together after bringing them

from another table.

"We sell more when they are alphabetized. That's why we do it," she said.

"Most of us are readers. I know the frustration of going to a sale and not

finding the book I wanted," Ms Starkweather said.

"Helping people find authors makes a big difference when you are looking for

particular books," she said.

Books are sorted by author into the following categories, science fiction,

occult, romance, regular fiction and mystery.

To appeal to the men looking for thrillers, Ms Starkweather has created two

new categories: 3C's, for cops, courtroom and crime, and WITS, for war,

intrigue, techno and spy.

Ms Starkweather helps out year round in preparation for the sale but

intensifies her efforts, like other volunteers, at this time of year as the

time for the book fair nears.

She also helps out during the book sale. About a month after the sale, she and

other volunteers will start working on next year's sale.

"Most of us enjoy doing this," Ms Starkweather said. "We like the satisfaction

of the money we bring in for the library."

Jack Corcoran, who has volunteered the past four years for the book sale

effort, was busy sorting various books about computers and computer software

in preparation for the event. Some computer software will be offered during

the sale.

"Several thousand items of computer books and software will be offered," he

said.

The books will be broken down into different categories to make selection

easier, Mr Corcoran said, such as computer systems, applications, Internet,

Windows and general computer subjects.

Computer enthusiasts don't have to worry about dealers beating them to the

computer books and software, Mr Corcoran said.

"Dealers don't pick up computer books," he said. "Only the general public is

interested in them."

Mr Corcoran said he will be on hand during the sale to help out. However, he

said most computer enthusiasts know what they want and rarely ask any

questions.

The Booth Library Book Sale will offer over 100,000 books and recordings.

Hardcover and paperback books will be offered in more than 70 categories,

including nonfiction, such as war and military, gardening, cooking, art,

biographies, crafts, Christmas, chess, history, flower arranging; and fiction,

including novels, mysteries, science fiction, occult and short stories. Books

for children will be available, along with LP records, games, and puzzles. The

sale includes rare books and autobiographies.

The sale will be inside Bridgeport Hall September 5, 10 am to 5 pm; September

6, 10 am to 5 pm; September 7, 9 am to 4 pm; September 8, 2 to 6 pm; and

September 9, 10 am to 4 pm.

Admission of $5 will be charged on Saturday only, with ticket sales beginning

at 7 am. On Saturday and Sunday, books will be sold at the marked price.

On Monday, books will be sold at half price from 9 am to 2 pm. From 2:30 to

4:30 pm on Monday and again on Tuesday from 2 to 8 pm, books will be $5 per

bag. Leftover books will be free on Wednesday from 10 am to 4 pm, with

donations accepted.

Refreshments will be available Saturday through Monday.

To reach Bridgeport Hall, take I-84 to Exit 11; turn left at the bottom of the

ramp onto Mile Hill Road; and follow the signs about one mile to reach

Fairfield Hills.

All proceeds from the book sale benefit the Booth Library.