Bookworms peruse plethora of literature
BUTLER TWP — Those who love the feel, smell and general comfort of a book’s pages descended on the Butler Farm Show Grounds on Thursday to grab up some books, CDs, DVDs, audio books or albums on the first day of the Butler Bookfest.
More than 120,000 books, all neatly sorted in categories, were available to readers on Thursday morning at a cost of no more than $5 each.
“Most are about $3,” said Ben Wilkinson, owner of Mr. Bookman, the Franklin company that organized the book sale with the help of volunteers from four local public libraries.
Wilkinson explained that public libraries raise funds by selling the books donated to them, but don’t have the storage space, manpower or transportation means to hold a large book sale.
Enter Mr. Bookman, which organizes the sale for multiple libraries and donates a cut of the event’s profits to be split between the libraries involved.
Volunteers from South Butler Community, Prospect, Slippery Rock and Mars libraries act as cashiers at Bookfest, and occasionally walk the 7,200-square-foot building at the Farm Show Grounds to straighten books for the next customers.
Michelle Lesniak, South Butler Community Library director, said this weekend marks the third Bookfest.
The last Butler Bookfest, in September, saw $4,000 split between the four libraries.
“It’s a good kickoff,” Lesniak said on Thursday as she gazed over the boxes of books and those bent over them. “It’s a great crowd. They even stood in line in the rain this morning.”
Wilkinson said he has found that readers will drive a significant distance to attend a large book sale like Bookfest.
He said one man came from Maryland to check out the titles at the Farm Show Grounds.
Lesniak said most people buy 10 to 12 books and some go out with a cartful.
Many buyers read the books and re-donate them, which makes even more money for the libraries, she said.
Damon Orsi drove from Gibsonia in Allegheny County to pick up some books.
He leans toward vintage, history, science and religion selections.
“I like vintage books particularly,” Orsi said.
Two in his stack on Thursday were copyrighted in 1946.
Orsi figures he reads 200 to 300 books per year.
He appreciated the organized and well-stocked Butler Bookfest.
“It’s a nice compilation,” Orsi said. “This is my first time here.”
Margo Perotti of Franklin Township is a frequent patron at the Prospect Public Library and both shopped and volunteered at Bookfest on Thursday.
“I’m a book lover,” Perotti admitted. “I want books I can touch and feel. I have so many bookcases, and they’re all full.”
She hopes lots of readers take advantage of the 25% off sale on Friday, 50% off on Saturday and the $15 bag sale on Sunday so the libraries will get a nice donation.
“I think it’s dreadfully important to support our local libraries,” Perotti said.
Lesniak hopes to build up the Butler Bookfest so that someday soon it can be a larger event with visiting authors, storytimes for children and other offerings.
“I have ideas,” she said.
Butler Bookfest will continue from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday.
