I’ve loved books for as long as I can remember. But I can remember only one book fair experience as a child: pacing a fluorescently lit room and asking the cashier, “How much is this with tax?” to see what I could afford with my lunch money. This eraser? This bookmark? Certainly not a book. Later, as a classroom teacher at a Title I school, I would witness many of my students experiencing much the same thing.
Book fairs remain a common practice in my county—for those libraries that can afford them. However, even libraries that can afford book fairs are reimagining them to better align their practices with ALSC’s core values, especially inclusiveness and innovation. If we keep in mind that the purpose of book fairs is to raise funds for library materials while helping children build their home libraries, we can imagine other ways to fulfill these goals.
For example: the only librarian I know with a Wikipedia page, Mychal Threets, is campaigning for the “adult book fair.” He says the goal is “that we raise enough funds for […] as many students as possible to not worry about the stress of their Scholastic Book Fair. […] Every kid leaves with a good book.” Other librarians are reallocating the time and energy typically used on book fairs towards grant writing and crowd-funding campaigns through platforms like Donors Choose.
While I only remember that one book fair experience, I also remember the library at another school I attended selling weeded books for pocket change. They smelled a little funny, sure, but—for a dime—I didn’t even have to ask my mom for the money or permission to buy them. The adult me who shops at used bookstores also appreciates how unwittingly sustainable that model was. And I grew to love that old book smell perhaps more than that of new books.
My childhood public library now sells weeded books and Mackin (a vendor that serves my county) has debuted another book fair alternative, Love My Library. Libraries are places where our imaginations can run wild. Something as simple as a cardboard box becomes magical when the “book fair fairy” keeps it stocked with books so children who do not purchase from the fair can continue to build their home libraries (see the above photo). Letting ourselves imagine what book fairs could be is the necessary first step in bringing to life innovative ideas that reflect our commitment to our client group.
How are you reimagining book fairs and/or library fundraising that better aligns with ALSC’s core values? Drop a line in the comments or at ktaksier@ufl.edu.
This blog post relates to ALSC Core Competency I: Commitment to Client Group.
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