Westport Library Book Sale -- July 16 to 19

The Westport Library’s Book Sale is a part of summer for many of us. This year’s — the 24th — will run from July 16 - 19 on Jesup Green, behind the Library.

We go, we browse, often with nothing special in mind. But how does it happen? 

The numbers are pretty awesome: 10,000 “walk-ins” come to the big tent and the Library’s McManus Room to browse through 100,000 books. They are assisted by some 300 volunteers. They spend well over $100,000 — all of which goes to support the Library’s programming and acquisitions. 

Then, the day after one sale ends, 45 volunteers start working on the next year’s.

The sale’s long time heads, Dick Lowenstein and Mimi Greenlee, said that a key part of preparing is checking every book they receive, and sorting and pricing every signed, unique or valuable book — as well as determining what to do with the 17th copy of last year’s mass market best seller. 

Greenlee said “every month volunteers box, mark and send 300 cartons of books to an off site storage location.”

Most visitors go straight to the tent, looking for that book — or four — they never knew they needed (here “need” means “I don’t have it and I want it”). They will also find scads of CDs, DVDs, and audiobooks. And lots of vinyl — for those who remember LPs, or who want to hear what their parents and grandparents listened to in “the good old days.”

If you’re a collector or you’re looking for something special, you’ll find many interesting and valuable books in the McManus Room. Lowenstein showed the writer two of this year’s features, a first Plantin Press Edition of Seneca's Tragedies, printed in Antwerp in 1576, and a beautifully photographed, signed limited edition of Salvador Dali: A Study of his Art-in-Jewels, printed in 1958.

There will also be some Beatlemania from local resident Al Brodax, the producer and co-author of the ground-breaking Beatles animated film, Yellow Submarine. You’ll also find a collection of Playboy magazines from the ‘60’s and ’70’s.

Sale hours will be Saturday from 9:00 till 5:00; Sunday, 10:00 till 5:00; Monday, half-price day, 9:00 till 5:00; and Tuesday, from 9:00 till 1:00 is Contribution Day — take what you want and make a contribution to the Library.

Each year’s sale is dedicated to a Westporter who has had a strong connection to the Library. This year’s honors Howard Munce, who, for 25 years, illustrated all the Library’s publications. He was renowned for work in several media, and was the “dean of Westport artists.” Munce lived in town for 80 years and passed on earlier this year at the age of 100.

The sale will include signed books given Munce by fellow artists, along with some of his own signed art work.

As Westport’s Summer Sale has grown, so has its reputation. It is one of the largest in the state, all because Westporters are avid readers — and avid recyclers. So when you’ve finished a book, drop it at the Library. And as you enjoy this year’s sale, think about what you might offer for next year’s.

W
Submitted by Westport, CT

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