C.H. Booth Library Book Sale Proves ‘People Still Want Books’

Inside Reed Intermediate School on Saturday, July 9, volunteers wearing red shirts gathered around as Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Denise Kaiser “read” a fairytale.

Once a year, Ms Kaiser said, something magical happened in the fairytale land. The wizards and other great persons in the land put aside their love of each other and books to face the hoards, and, while the hoards took away their books, the people of the land were placated by the exchange of gold for the books.

“Another year has come and the magic continues,” Ms Kaiser said. “We have had a wonderful time for 364 days, but today we will work very hard.”

Ms Kaiser stood facing inside the school toward the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library volunteers, while a line of book buyers waited outside the front entrance of the school, just over Ms Kaiser’s shoulder. With minutes to go before opening day of this year’s annual book sale, the volunteers took their places.

The 36th Annual Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Book Sale was conducted this year from Saturday, July 9, through Wednesday, July 13. On Saturday, the doors were opened at 9 am, and by 9:02 am a swarm of eager book purchasers were already inside combing through the stacks of books, music, videos, and more sorted by the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library over the past year.

Friends President Mary Maki reported this year’s book sale surpassed $100,000 in gross receipts.

“One thing we have learned the last four days is people still want books,” said Ms Maki.