On Friday, July 13, 2019, Berks Book Bonanza opened its doors to a line of shoppers excitedly waiting to browse the selection of gently used books. Hundreds of people filled bags and boxes with books, DVD’s, puzzles, and more, all while giving back to the community through their sales. After Book Bonanza closed the doors that Sunday, the final numbers reported the four-day fundraiser made just shy of $68,000.
Book Bonanza returned to the Berkshire Mall for another year thanks to the generosity of mall ownership and the general manager, Ellen Smoll. The sale was held in three store locations which doubled the available space compared to 2018. The increase in space was reflected in the final total for the fundraiser, surpassing the amount raised in 2018 by approximately $21,000.
Proceeds from the sale help to support the public libraries of Berks County and provide scholarships for Berks County girls, women, and female graduate school applicants through the voluntary efforts of the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries and the Reading Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW). The two nonprofit organizations team together annually to bring the Book Bonanza opportunity to all of Berks County.
The Book Bonanza team is hopeful for another successful sale in 2020 as they continue to search for a collection and sorting location. Information about collections and the 2020 sale will be updated on the Book Bonanza website berksbookbonanza.org; the AAUW website reading-pa.aauw.net/bonanza; and on the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries Facebook page.
