Oy. Every year we offer materials that are either no longer needed for our collection or duplicates of what we have in a book sale at Homecoming. This year is no exception. Usually we are only given 2 large tables, and we press into service the 4 picnic tables on the patio and numerous book carts. It takes a good deal of time to set it all up and get the signs in place - Fiction here, Religion there, Education this table, Business over there. Paperbacks $1, Hardcover $2. Bibles free (I just can't in good conscience sell a Bible).
This year, for some unknown reason, facilities leaves us 6 tables. We manage to get everything except one cart load on the tables. Sweet. People begin looking before we are ready. That's fine. If they want something, I stop arranging and make the sale. We take turns running the cash box and marking the take, knowing full well we will have plenty of material to put back in storage afterwards. The facilities crew shows up. They are as puzzled as we are about the tables, but they don't repossess them, thank goodness.
We have a handful of customers during the parade, then more, then when food starts smelling delicious, we get lots of lookers. We do well again this year. Last year we used the money to preserve some of our older books - some of the ones published before 1850 and rather unique - or at least not widely held elsewhere, but important to our institution.
The weather has been grand and the attendance is good. I am happy to see so many people, but also happy at the end of the day to go in and sit at reference and let others put all the unsold books in the back. I appreciate all the help. One more homecoming sale under our belt. Several hundred good books in the hands of people who want them. Nice.
This year, for some unknown reason, facilities leaves us 6 tables. We manage to get everything except one cart load on the tables. Sweet. People begin looking before we are ready. That's fine. If they want something, I stop arranging and make the sale. We take turns running the cash box and marking the take, knowing full well we will have plenty of material to put back in storage afterwards. The facilities crew shows up. They are as puzzled as we are about the tables, but they don't repossess them, thank goodness.
We have a handful of customers during the parade, then more, then when food starts smelling delicious, we get lots of lookers. We do well again this year. Last year we used the money to preserve some of our older books - some of the ones published before 1850 and rather unique - or at least not widely held elsewhere, but important to our institution.
The weather has been grand and the attendance is good. I am happy to see so many people, but also happy at the end of the day to go in and sit at reference and let others put all the unsold books in the back. I appreciate all the help. One more homecoming sale under our belt. Several hundred good books in the hands of people who want them. Nice.
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