Spencertown Academy Arts Center announces a call for book donations for the Festival of Books, which will take place over Labor Day weekend, September 3-5. The Festival, which began in 2006 as a book sale to raise funds for the Academy’s community arts programs, has grown into one of the biggest and most eagerly anticipated cultural events of the year, with readings and book signings by nationally known and local authors and a children’s program.
At the heart of the Festival is a giant book sale, one of the biggest in the region, featuring more than 10,000 gently used books, including fiction and non-fiction, hard and soft covers—all offered at very affordable prices. There’s a special Kid’s Corner for young readers and a media rack full of CDs and audio books. A first-floor gallery features a handpicked selection of specialty books, limited editions, out-of-print books and new books donated by leading national publishers.
Beginning on Tuesday, July 5, there will be a large bin in the parking lot behind the Academy where donors can drop off books 24/7—in boxes or sturdy bags, but please, no loose books. Collection times at the Academy, with an attendant present at the back door to receive books, will be on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 9 – August 21, which will be the last day for donations.
The Academy requests “gently used” books. The books need not be perfect, but they should not be damaged. For example, please do not donate books with cracked spines or loose pages, books with stains, mildewed or musty books, books with mouse or insect damage, or with torn, yellowed or brittle pages. The Academy also welcomes donations of book and music CDs and vinyl records in nice condition, as well as DVDs. Please note: the Academy does not accept textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines or VHS and cassette tapes.
Housed in a beautifully restored 1840s Greek-Revival schoolhouse at 790 State Route 203 in Spencertown, New York, Spencertown Academy Arts Center is a cultural center serving Columbia County, the Berkshires and the Capital region. It offers a variety of free and low-cost community arts events, including concerts, readings, theater pieces, art exhibitions and arts-related workshops and classes. For more information about the Festival of Books, seehttp://spencertownacademy.org/events.
