Thanks to the tremendous effort of our volunteers and a community passionate about books, our May 13th book sale was a huge success. With all of our sale activities we raised over $17,500.

Thank you, volunteers and supporters!
 

Wesleyan University was a bookworm's paradise on Saturday

May 14, 2006
MIDDLETOWN PRESS
By Matthew Engelhardt

The Exley Science Center was transformed into a giant book fair, with literature ranging from rare editions to popular novels on sale to benefit the university's libraries. Hosted by the Friends of Wesleyan Library, the sale including over 10,000 volumes for purchase and a several activities.

"It's been really good," said event co-chair Christina Trier. "We have clearly done much better than we were hoping." According to Trier, the majority of the books were donated from the shelves of the libraries, with the rest coming from private donors. The foundation will put all the proceeds towards projects to im-prove the library system on campus. According to co-chair Greg Petropolous, the funding is much needed in a time where libraries are expected to offer research innovations despite financial cutbacks.

"Right now libraries are struggling across the country, and Wesleyan is no exception," Petropolous said. "Libraries are asked to do more with less. They're asked to provide information in newer formats and education in research. At the same time, their budgets are being cut."
Literary lovers bought books at very low prices, with the majority of volumes being sold at 50 cents for paperback and one dollar for hard covers. Other books were sold at rates far lower than the jacket price.

More valuable items were sold through a silent auction, where large art books and rare volumes were sold to the highest bidder. Vendors also solicited bids to the fair to sell their books at a very low cost. Petropolous called the turnout for the fair "phenomenal," with both students and locals taking full advantage of the good deals. "The rain held off, so it was a beautiful day to come down," he said.
Petropolous said that the foundation likely raised over $10,000. Leftover books were donated to charitable organizations and students groups throughout the area.

"We're very pleased and appreciative of the response we've gotten from Middletown ands the surRounding community," he said. "A lot of people have come who just love books."