by Berks County Public Libraries
On Monday, May 6, Berks Book Bonanza volunteers will begin moving into their new home at the County of Berks South Campus location in Mohnton. The move comes one month after the Berks County Commissioners approved a lease agreement with the non-profit entity.
Since its departure from the VF Outlet in West Reading following the 2017 book sale, Berks Book Bonanza has sought a more permanent space to call home—a challenging endeavor for the area’s largest annual used book sale. The group was able to secure temporary space at the Berkshire Mall for a few years but was once again left searching for space following their highly successful sale in 2021.
That was until the Berks County Commissioners extended a helping hand in providing a space for the organization to collect donations and hold its annual sale.
“We’re grateful to the Commissioners and the County’s COO team for their generosity and support,” said Allen Westbrook, head of the Berks Book Bonanza Search Committee.
Westbrook has spent years with others in the Search Committee scouring commercial properties in Berks County for a suitable location large enough to serve as both a collection and sale site. The five-year lease agreement with the County provides organizers with peace of mind and the opportunity to begin providing funds to local non-profits once again.
“Book Bonanza is truly a community-driven event,” said Westbrook. “Community members donate their books for the sale, volunteers donate their time with all the sale preparations, and there are countless others from local businesses and organizations who provide labor and expertise to make this sale a reality.”
One such individual who lent his assistance to the community book sale was Jim Boscov, CEO of Boscov’s.
Following their final sale at the Berkshire Mall, Jim Boscov and team members aided Berks Book Bonanza by supplying a truck and driver to relocate their displays and supplies to one of Boscov’s warehouse locations for storage. In addition to the donated transportation and labor, Boscov provided the storage location to the organization for minimal rent while meeting with event organizers to provide advice on their next steps forward.
“We can’t begin to express our thanks to the Commissioners or Mr. Boscov for their support,” said Westbrook, “but their help and generosity has made it possible for Book Bonanza to hold a sale this year.”
Following their move this Monday, Berks Book Bonanza expects to begin accepting donations sometime in June, with a smaller sale planned for fall 2024.
Persons interested in making book donations to Berks Book Bonanza are encouraged to check for information at berksbookbonanza.org or follow the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries on Facebook.
Berks Book Bonanza is made possible through community donations and the efforts of its volunteers. Funds raised from the annual gently-used book sale go to the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries and the American Association of University Women, who support the public libraries of Berks County and provide scholarships to women and girls.
