To The Editor:

The recent 49th annual book sale sponsored by the Friends of the C.H. Booth Library was the epitome of a successful community event: Volunteers of every age chipping in to raise money for the local library by offering more than 100,000 books, media, jigsaw puzzles, LPs and other items donated by our neighbors in Newtown and nearby communities, which were then purchased by book sale patrons from near and far over the course of five days.

We are grateful to all of our volunteers, but especially to the team that volunteers year-round. Mid-July to mid-June this group of approximately 65 individuals receives, evaluates and prices donations at our Donation Room in the lower level of the library, processes materials for the on-site Little Book Store and annual Holiday Sale, and prepares the rest for storage in preparation for the July book sale.

We were most ably abetted by the additional local residents who helped set up and assisted during the sale, including a large number of high school and college students. We are especially appreciative of the excellent support given us by members of the Newtown High School football team, Hawk Honor Association and other young adults with an abiding love for books and the library. Over the course of the book sale, at least 100 people staffed the sales areas at the Reed Intermediate School.

Contributing to the community feel was Boy Scout Troop 70, which operated a food tent on Saturday and Sunday for the hungry shoppers and volunteers.

As always, the library’s director, staff and board of trustees earn our daily appreciation for their support and stewardship of our magnificent town library.

Income from the book sale provides a major portion of the Friends’ annual grant to Newtown’s C.H. Booth Library for programs, acquisition of books and media, and various special endeavors. These are things that benefit the entire community.

Denise Kaiser

Book Sale Chairperson and Volunteer Liaison

Friends of the C.H. Booth Library