The C.H. Booth Book Sale: July 7-11

- by Bruce E. McKinney

The quiet before the storm

As they have for many years, the C. H. Booth Library in Newtown, Connecticut is holding their annual Book Sale on July 7-11.  You have been to book fairs but you have not been to one on the grand scale that the C. H. Booth put theirs on.  It’s an extravaganza, a five day affair with people lining up well before the fair opens to get first dibs at what this year will be 120,000 items including their rare book room which features both donated and selected materials.

 

Here is the official announcement from the Friends of the C. H. Booth Library.

 

It is that time of year again! Coming on July 7-11 will be the annual Friends of C H Booth Library book sale, held at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane, Newtown, CT 06470.

 

Hours:  Saturday and Sunday July 7-8, 9-5; Monday and Tuesday 9-7; Wednesday 9-12. 

 

120,000 items, sorted into over 90 categories. $5 admission is charged on Saturday only, but the palm card is worth a $2 discount on Saturday - Sunday purchases. Numbered tickets go on sale at 7.00 Saturday morning; the Friends go strictly by line order and are not involved in assigning pre-line spots; however, if you are leaving a box in line ahead of time please be aware that the storm extended school year prohibits any boxes being placed on school grounds before June 30, and that school safety rules require the box to be open and upright.

 

Saturday and Sunday all items are sold at marked prices, Monday is half price day, Tuesday is $5 per bag day (bags supplied), Wednesday all remaining items are free. The building is nicely air-conditioned; Saturday and Sunday a local Scout Troop will staff a food tent for your convenience. Signs will be posted at I-84 exits and at major intersections in town.

 

The Specials Room (201) will be full as usual with both Specials and Collectibles; partial lists of the Specials and of the Collectibles are available on request. This year we have a large collection of modern literature, with a heavy concentration on the Beats, many of them signed, cased, or otherwise special editions. Most are in very good or better condition, if you have any questions about anything on the list please let us know and we'll try to send photos; items on the Specials list will also be available for inspection by appointment at the Booth Library until shortly before the sale.  To see them please contact jrenjilian@hotmail.com to make an appointment. The Specials room will be open Saturday - Monday, nearly all books not selling on the weekend will be available on half price day.

 

General information questions can be directed to boothbooksale@yahoo.com, or you may find the information you need at www.boothbooksale.org. You can also call the Library at 203-426-4533.

 

We look forward to seeing thousands of bibliophiles and the supportive community again this year.