WESTFIELD-Local historian Robert Brown was the first in line – at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday – to ensure that when the always popular spring book sale opened its doors in the Lang Auditorium of the Westfield Athenaeum, he would have the first glances of books for sale on history.
While waiting patiently in line, Brown noted the book sale is now in its 20th year and over the years he had assisted in handling logistics. Brown turned over the logistical reins of the book sale to Robert Hullivan in recent years.
The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum have a dedicated group of volunteers who work diligently each spring to host the popular book sale at the Westfield Athenaeum. Volunteers include, left to right, Mary Ann Taber, Linda Slozak, Joan Machacek, Helene Calvanese, also co-chair of the event, Sue Roberts, Nancy Stefanik and Claire Rogers.
The Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum, sponsors of the book sale, did not set a particular fundraising goal, however, with more than 10,000 books up for sale, their hopes are high for a successful event.
Book sale hours are Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Adult hardcover books and trade books are priced at $1, with paperbacks at 50 cents each. Books for children and young adults are priced at $1, 50 cents and 25 cents. On Saturday, books will be “by donation,” according to Helene Calvanese, book sale co-chair and member of the Friends board.
On Wednesday afternoon, a “preview night” for members of the “Friends” group and educators was well attended.
In addition to books neatly stacked by category on 40 tables (as well as boxes of books under the tables), there are unique, one-of-a-kind items including an antique carpenter’s tool chest, boxes of old bottles, and children’s antique furniture including rocking chairs, cribs, and even a high chair. Sale items also include audio books, DVD’s and CD’s.
Payment options in addition to cash and check include Square, VISA, Mastercard, American Express and Discover.
Hullivan noted that he still has more than 1,000 books from an off-site location to bring to the book sale on Friday.
Local historian Robert Brown checked out the history books first during a preview night of the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum’s annual spring book sale.
Proceeds raised from Friends fundraisers benefit several Athenaeum programs and initiatives throughout the year, including the museum pass program and the summer reading program for adults and children.
From do-it-yourself books to cooking and politics, there is a subject for every reading aficionado at this sale, noted Calvanese.
