Sale runs May 22 and 23.
Everywhere the eye could see were books. Boxes and boxes of donated books all patiently waiting to be sorted. This my friends, is book heaven, also known as the CBC Calgary Reads Used Book Sale.
This is an annual event that raises funds for many amazing programs and initiatives that Calgary Reads champions. I met Karin Schlegel today, who was volunteering her time in the children’s nonfiction section. Turns out she is a Literacy Coach with Calgary Reads.
Building reading communities
As Karin and I chatted, I learned that Calgary Reads partners with local Doctors who will write a ‘prescription’ for reading for families and sends the family home with a bag of books provided by Calgary Reads. Genius.
One of my favorite programs involves a partnership with local Food Banks that sees every family leaving with food, leaves also with books. I absolutely love this. You can’t read a book on a hungry tummy. A brilliant collaboration.
Nancy Drew is always a favorite
And so, as we got back to sorting the books, I thought about how reading is vital to communities. Especially important to foster in children so they become life long readers.
Maybe that’s why I naturally gravitate to the kids section. I love seeing the books I’ve read with my kids, like the Nancy Drew series. They are still one of the most requested series in the children’s area (at least during my shifts). In fact, from 6-8 pm, kids are invited to show up in their jammies and enjoy milk and cookies while listening to readings by special guests.
Books by the suitcase
It can get a little crazy busy during the sale with all the kids looking for their favorite authors, but I love it.
Last year, I had a young girl, probably around 10, come by and ask me to help her find some books I thought she might like. She had a suitcase. You know the kind, the ones with wheels? Well, by the end of her time at the sale, she had that suitcase full. It turns out she came on her own. To fill her suitcase with books.
So, if you live local and love books (at a great price), come by and say ‘hi’ on Friday afternoon. You’ll know where to find me.
Although I didn’t find anything out of the ordinary today, it isn’t uncommon, at a used book sale or store, to find things that readers have left in books.
Looks SO amazing AND rather dangerous!!! Have fun – kinda good I’m not local on this one!
Yes! I know. I’ve actually decided not to go to the early bird shop (a perk of volunteering) because I have way too many books waiting for me to read already and if I go I know I will come home with more. Not a suitcase full maybe, but more. Just can’t resist.