Selling literacy
Schedule set for annual literacy book drive and sale
Organizers are gearing up for the ninth annual Journal Pioneer/Summerside Rotary Book Drive for Literacy set for Sept. 21-23 and Sept. 28-30.
Everyone loves getting a new book, but what about getting three or four or five for the price of one?
Sandy Rundle and Anne MacDonald know the excitement of getting new reading material. They are two of the organizers of the ninth annual Journal Pioneer/Summerside Rotary Book Drive for Literacy.
“Literacy is incredibly important to me. It makes or breaks your life. It can determine what jobs you get,” said MacDonald, the book sale volunteer coordinator.
Rundle, representing the Rotary Club of Summerside, agreed.
“People all around Prince County look forward to the sale. It makes us happy that people are enjoying literature,” he added.
This year’s event will be held at Hangar 5 at 50 Aerospace Boulevard in Slemon Park.
“It’s just a few hangars down from last year’s location,” said Rundle.
Last year, the drive raised just over $10,000. This year the goal is $11,500.
“The true booklovers are there the weekend of the drive donating piles of books, and then they’re back the next weekend buying at the sale,” said Rundle. MacDonald added, “It answers a need on both ends. We’ve got those who want to empty their bookshelves and closets but it clears the way for people to gather new materials and support the community.” MacDonald says she gets a kick out of people’s reactions
when they come in and see the books.
“I love the excitement when people come in. Last year I came in an hour early before the sale and there were already people inside rubbing their hands together with a big smile.” On the book drop-off days, Sept. 21, 22 and 23, tens of thousands of books will be donated, but MacDonald says there is something people can do to help the volunteers who set up for the sale.
“It would be an incredible time saver if donations could be sorted by authors’ last name before they are given to us. It’d be nice if A and Z weren’t in the same bag.”
Hardcover books will cost $3, soft cover $2 and all children’s books will be $1.
“Bring your books to the drive and come back to buy just as many. We love seeing the books come in and then go right back out.”
The annual book sale will be held on Sept. 28, 29, and 30.