In response to the COVID-19 virus, the 2020 AAUW State College Used Book Sale, originally scheduled for May was canceled. We will start collecting donations for the 2021 sale on August 1. Please mark your calendars for next year’s sale, May 15-18, 2021.
When I was invited to become the Chair of the AAUW (American Association of University Women) State College Used Book Sale, I felt confident that I was up to the challenge. Having already worked with countless volunteers sorting books and during the sale previously, I understood how things worked and the steps I would need to take to make the sale a success. However, the best laid plans often go awry as this year’s sale was indefinitely postponed and later canceled amidst the uncertainty of Covid-19.
So many unknowns about the pandemic made it hard to make decisions for the future. Yet, our committee still met to review our options and rethink logistics that brought us success in the past. After much consideration, we opted to sell most of our collection to Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, which allows us to offset the administrative costs of the sale, like our workshop lease and insurance, for another year. Selling our books now and in this way allows us to keep our operation alive so that revenue from next year’s sale can continue our financial support for community-based programs, postsecondary scholarships for local women, STEM programs for young women and girls, and public policy programming on important issues.
This year we also donated thousands of books to area school districts, libraries, the Mid-State Literacy Council, and other non-profits to support our local community during the pandemic. Proceeds from our 2019 Used Book Sale were used to award over $35,000 to community organizations this year, and we plan to make several grants for STEM projects this fall. In these ways, we’ve made the most of our 2020 book donations and can begin preparing for the 2021 sale.
We will reopen for donations for the 2021 sale starting on Saturday, August 1 from 9am to 3pm at our workshop, 176 Technology Drive, Boalsburg, subject to county re-opening guidelines. After that, hours resume weekly on Mondays from 6pm to 8pm, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am to noon. While we prefer collecting donations during these times, bins are also available outside of the workshop by the loading dock during off-hours. Please consult our website (http://www.aauwstatecollege.org/booksale/donations.html) for more information about books that we can’t accept.
We look forward to support from our community through book donations and to seeing everyone at the sale next year, May 15-19, 2021. Visit our website at aauwstatecollege.org for more information.
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