Annual AAUW Book Sale Ready to Roll

Snider Agricultural Arena at Penn State will be transformed into a book lover’s dream, Saturday, May 14, through Tuesday, May 17.

The arena is the site of the 55th annual Used Book Sale, organized and run by the State College Branch of the American Association of University Women. However, the sale itself is the result of the work of hundreds of volunteers who put in many hours collecting, sorting and packing books.

Donna Trapp, chairperson of the sale, said the event is a true community effort, from the countless individuals and organizations donating books to the army of volunteers who turn the boxes of books into one of the largest sales on the East Coast. The sale draws dealers and patrons not only from Centre County, but from as far away a sMaine, Georgia, Iowa, Maryland, New York and Ohio.

“There are over 100 people who help move all our books from the workshop to the Ag arena in just one evening. Then there are another 100 who work the sale. Without these people we would be lost,” she said.

Trapp, who is in her second year of chairing the sale, said the event is the culmination of a process that takes an entire year. Through summer, fall and winter months, individuals and community organizations donate thousands of books, audio books and CDs of every genre. Volunteers sort through the books as they come in.

“I love the sale and the whole process,” she said. “It is great to see the community support such a wonderful event. They donate the books and we are so grateful. We keep a huge amount of paper out of the landfill and recycle it.

“I think it is wonderful to know that a book that one person enjoyed can keep bringing that joy to others.”

Connie Schroeder, who joined AAUW about eight years ago and has assisted with the sale for just as long, called the sale a “Centre County institution.” Schroeder, who is the newsletter editor, program co-vice president, and for this year, centennial co-chair, said that for the past 15 years, the sale has exceeded $100,000 each year.

The first sale in 1962 netted $176. Through the past five decades, the sale has grown by “leaps and bounds,” according to Schroeder.

“The sale has become the economic engine for our community grants and scholarship programs, and more. Our audience — about 8,000 to 10,000 shoppers — has remained constant for the past several years,” she said.

“Even though e-readers have gained in popularity, people continue to be interested in buying high-quality traditional books at wonderful prices. The broad selection and the fact that the books are sorted into 30 categories makes shopping a great experience.”

According to Trapp, although e-reading has become more popular, the trend has not diminished the popularity of the book sale. She believes the sale has at least another 10 years of viability, and even said the popularity of the book sale seems to get bigger and bigger.

She said that last year, the sale raised about $129,000, compared to $140,000 the year before (which was the highest amount in the history of the event). Each year, the hope is to match or beat the number from the year before.

“We use the money for so many wonderful things in the community; I hope that it keeps up,” Trapp said. “We offer community grants that support our mission and have given money to organizations such as Centre Volunteers in Medicine, Centre County Resource Center and Schlow Library.”

Schroeder explained that the AAUW’s support of dozens of community nonprofits, the continuation of STEM programs for girls and the AAUW scholarship program for returning adult women students all depend on the sale.

This year, the event is being held a weekend later than usual. Trapp said that people are used to it being held on Mother’s Day weekend; however, since Mother’s Day coincided with Penn State graduation, it was decided to push the sale back a week. But aside from the date of the sale, there will be a few new features this year, too.

First, there will be a table called “Blind Date With a Book.” On the table, there will be 100 high-quality books wrapped in white paper, so shoppers are blindly selecting a book. According to Schroeder, all are quality books on varying topics, and each sells for $3.

“The books are worth far, far more than that. The idea behind the ‘Blind Date’ books is to interest people in exploring what may be a new topic, and of course, there’s the surprise element. It should be fun,” Schroeder said.

She said a second addition to this year’s sale is a centennial exhibit in the front entrance of the arena. This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the State College branch of AAUW, and members are excited to share a little bit of history with shoppers. Also, there will be centennial history booklets and centennial T-shirts available for sale for $5.

Schroeder said that, with all of the donations, planning and volunteer effort that has gone into the event, there is a lot of excitement and anticipation surrounding this year’s sale.

She said there will be a collector’s section, a huge children’s section, lots of music CDs and audio books, as well as brand new books that would make great gifts.

“I help sort books at our used book workshop and think that the quality of books is better than ever.

There are some real treasures in this year’s sale, and something for everyone.”

After this year’s sale, donations will be accepted at a new used book workshop in the Boalsburg Technology Park. The site will be open for donations in July. Those interested in helping with books for next year’s sale can learn all about it at www.aauwstatecollege.org/booksale.html.

IF YOU GO

What: 55^th annual AAUW Used Book Sale

When: Saturday, May 14, through Tuesday, May 17

Where: Snider Agricultural Arena

More info: www.aauwstatecollege.org/booksale.html