Preparations for the Friends of the CH Booth Library book flea market

Published: 09.07.2024 08:00

The Friends of the CH Booth Library will host its 48th annual book sale July 12-16 in the gymnasium of Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades Lane.

The Book Flea Market, the Friends’ main annual fundraiser, runs July 12 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., admission is $40. Tickets go on sale at noon in front of the school, and space is limited to 200 people. On Saturday, July 13, admission is $5, children under 18 are free, tickets go on sale at 9 a.m., sales run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Sunday, July 14, admission is free, items are 25% off, hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Monday, July 15, admission is free, items are 50% off, hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On the last day, Tuesday, July 16, admission is free, all other items are free, and hours are 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Book Flea Market is a community effort that involves everyone who donates throughout the year, the people who stop by and shop, and the volunteers who help year-round or just in July. Thanks to immense support from the community, “the success of the Flea Market allows the Friends to provide a substantial annual grant that funds programs for adults and children, expands the library’s book and media collection, funds technology upgrades, and generally supports library services,” explained Denise Kaiser, Book Flea Market Chair.

The sale reaches a wide audience, as more than 1,000 people from across the region attend each year. People come from out of state to shop at the sale, including booksellers and collectors. While the reach is large, the book sale is a testament to the community that Newtown has fostered. “It speaks to the strong ties that exist between the school district, town officials and the library. The Friends’ book sale exemplifies the quality of life in this small town,” Kaiser said.

For a detailed list of this year’s special offers, visit boothbooksale.org.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at [email protected].

Each year, student volunteers help the Friends of the CH Booth Library bring books to the Reed gymnasium. This year, the NHS Cheerleaders were there to help. “In the beginning, it’s the students that we need. They’ve helped us every year… The collaboration with the schools has been fantastic,” said Denise Kaiser, book sales director. —Bee Photo, Cross

The NHS soccer team helped the friends move more books in the afternoon. The extra strength was needed as this year’s book sale will feature over 100,000 items for sale. — Photo courtesy of Nancy Dvorin