Extra Volunteers For Book Sale Set-up Urgently Needed

By Nancy K. Crevier

The Friends of the C.H. Booth Library are putting out an urgent call for able-bodied, civic-minded citizens to come forward and assist in the set up of the Annual Book Sale scheduled to run Saturday, June 30, through Wednesday, July 4, from 9 am to 5 pm each day, at Reed Intermediate School on Trades Lane.

When the storm of May 16 blew through town, it downed trees and power lines, disrupting service for several days. It also caused Newtown Public Schools to shut down for the following two days, and that is the dilemma for The Friends.

Book sale volunteers had been prepared to begin setting up the more than 120,000 books, records, tapes, and CDs that will be offered for sale this year starting Friday, June 22, at the close of the school year. But the storm closings have extended the school year to Monday, June 25, leaving the volunteers to compress seven days of work into just four days. It is truly the case that in this instance, it will be the more the merrier to put everything in place by the time the doors open for the sale the morning of June 30.

The annual book sale moved last year to Reed Intermediate School from its previous venue at Fairfield Hills, and to a new, earlier Fourth of July date than the traditional Labor Day weekend. The Friends knew that the tight schedule within which both school and book sale must work at the end of the school year would be a challenge, but providing the thousands of patrons who attend the book sale the comfort of an air-conditioned setting complete with rest rooms and adequate parking outweighed any uncertainties over the end of the school year and book sale setup. The storm has added to the usual challenge, but with additional support from volunteers, The Friends are certain this unexpected glitch can easily be overcome.

Volunteers are needed for both daytime and evening setup shifts, Monday, June 25 through Friday, June 29. An experienced book sale supervisor will be on hand each day until 10 pm.

To volunteer, call Friends of the C.H. Booth Library President Mary Maki at 426-3889. With a little help for The Friends, the storm will not put a damper on the 31st Annual Book Sale.