LSU Libraries Wrap Up "Most Successful" Book Bazaar To Date
April 01, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BATON ROUGE – The Friends of the LSU Libraries Book Bazaar recently completed what by all accounts may be the best book sale in its 44-year history. This was the first sale since the spring of 2019, and for the tireless team of Book Barn volunteers, it faced unprecedented logistical challenges posed by the pandemic.
“Everyone was very eager to get back to the sale they love,” said Lead Volunteer and retired Literature Teacher Anita Young. “Along with the desire to get their hands on tons of books, I think the idea of being back to some semblance of normalcy didn’t hurt. We had customers lined up as early as 7 a.m. for a 9 o’clock opening, the excitement was palpable, it was pretty awesome,” said Young.
Led by Lead Volunteers Young and Georgene Jones, the volunteers collected, sorted and sold a record number of books and did so in new facilities amid myriad uncertainties. The response of the Baton Rouge community was astounding. Thousands of eager book buyers flocked to the four-day sale, many expressing joy and relief at the return of this venerable Baton Rouge institution.
Proceeds from the event in recent years have provided millions of dollars to the LSU Library Acquisitions and Services. Not being able to hold the event for two years made purchasing new books especially difficult.
“The proceeds from the book sale enable the libraries to buy books that we couldn’t have purchased otherwise,” Dean of LSU Libraries Stanley Wilder said. “We are thrilled to be up and running again, LSU faculty and students desperately need current books to support their research and classwork.”
Young explains the event impacts local voracious readers in different ways.
“Some of our customers have very specific interests and can find older, out-of-print books that they might not find through a bookstore or book seller,” Young said.
The bazaar typically offers around 65,000 volumes.
“We have many people who make their living re-selling books. They love our sale because we have quality books that, while sold at very reasonable prices have great resale potential,” Young said.
The event takes quite a few volunteers to make the sale run smoothly, there is always a need for volunteers closer to the sale. Young has dedicated her time to the event for 13 years.
“I want the whole world to read, the idea that we can repurpose books that have been previously owned and loved makes me very happy, we live many lives through books and the books should have many lives as well,” Young said.
The Book Bazaar team will begin taking donations for next year’s event starting on April 20. All donations must be scheduled by leaving a message at the following number: 225-578-5925. Donations will be scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. The Book Barn is located at 3555 River Road in LSU’s Warehouse District. The same phone number applies to those who wish to volunteer to work throughout the year at the Book Barn.
The annual Friends of the LSU Libraries Book Bazaar proceeds provide more than $60,000 in support of LSU libraries acquisitions and services. Since its inception, the Friends have built an endowment currently valued at $2.6 million. Volunteers at the Book Barn prepare for The Book Bazaar year-round, receiving donations, and sorting and pricing books, to prepare for the popular annual event with more than 65,000 books of all kinds. The annual Book Bazaar offers thousands of books of every genre— many priced as low as 50 cents to one dollar. The Collectors' Area has rare and valuable books, and each year, the Book Bazaar attracts book collectors and book lovers of all ages and from all over.