It’s The Name Game For Library’s In-House Bookstore

By Nancy K. Crevier

“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose, by any other name would smell as sweet,” said William Shakespeare. For the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library, it is hoped that a change of name will be the smell of an even sweeter success than they have achieved to date through their in-house bookstore.

Regular patrons of the C.H. Booth Library know that along with providing extensive research assistance, enchanting children’s programs, entrancing adult programs, and offering a broad spectrum of books for lending, the library is also home to the Book Nook.

Located on the second floor of the library, just beyond the main circulation desk, for more than a decade the Book Nook has been a repository for gently loved and new books, donated to the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library and sold year around, at bargain prices, through the Book Nook to support the library’s programs, materials, and technology.

On Monday, November 8, however, the Book Nook took on a new persona. Voila — The Little Book Store, as is announced on the new signage posted there.

“We kept running into fellow Newtowners who were surprised and delighted to ‘discover’ such a great ‘little book store’ right in the library,” said Friends spokesperson Denise Kaiser, despite the corner’s ten-year-plus existence. “We thought changing the name from the Book Nook to The Little Book Store would better communicate to patrons that there are indeed books for sale at the library,” she said.

Shoppers at The Little Book Store find an ever-changing variety of high-quality books for adults and children. “You’ll find fiction, including recent bestsellers and mysteries; classics; a good selection of nonfiction, including biographies and cook books; and our recently added ‘This and That’ category,” said Ms Kaiser, who along with Marge Gingolaski, oversees The Little Book Store.

The This and That section is where readers will find “a mix of science, science fiction, sports, and unusual books,” Ms Kaiser said.

Prices are based on the book’s publication date and condition, but are always hugely discounted, Ms Kaiser said. A 2010 hardcover fiction or mystery/thriller book would be priced between $4 and $6, for example. Prices are somewhat higher than those at the Friends’ annual book sale, she said, because all of The Little Book Store offerings are in pristine condition, and include current bestsellers, coffee table books, and sought-after titles, ideal for gift giving.

What’s in a name? Discover The Little Book Store, and find out. The Little Book Store is open during regular library hours. For more information visit chboothlibrary.org.