Book Fair

Paperbacks $0.50; hardcover $1 and up
Friday - half price day; Saturday - $5/bag
Early entry on Wednesday, 8 - 10 a.m., $10 entry fee
Free admission - Wednesday - Friday,
10 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.

This annual event involves most of the members of the Branch at one time or another -- sorting books, assigning prices, and collecting money at the time of the sale.

Everything was in our favor with good weather, terrific publicity, wonderful volunteers, tremendous donations and hundreds of shoppers. The majority of funds earned will go toward scholarships for local high women.

However, Book Fair is a lot more than making money for scholarships. We perform a wonderful service to the community by providing a place to donate used books. We create a venue for buying books, tapes, CDs, and DVDs very inexpensively and there is always something for everyone. The gook-loving public truly appreciates us! Shoppers come from as far away as Canada, Seattle and Indiana this year and always had favorable comments. Most have said it is the most organized fair they have been to and they liked the friendly and helpful workers. Jack Weber even received a tip for carrying books to a shopper's car and Myrna Sims received a $10 donation for helping a woman who felt faint.

The AAUW members and community volunteers who work at Book Fair have a great time. We have a lot of laughs especially when we find all kinds of interesting things among our donated books. It is a wonderful time to get to know each other better. We are grateful for our extremely dedicated volunteers both from AAUW and the community.

The 2008 Book Fair was again very successful with good quality books that were very well organized. On opening day there were 70 people waiting in line for our early opening (fee $10). At 10 am when shoppers could come in without paying the early bird fee there were about 100 shoppers waiting. If you haven't been to opening day at Book Fair it is a wild experience not to be forgotten. Half-price day and Bag day ($5 per bag) were also extremely busy! At the end of the fair on Saturday several charitable groups came to get our unsold books for free and were very appreciative.

Wed. March 18 - April - Book, CD, DVD and video donations accepted (don't wait until the last minute)

Wed. March 18 - April 21, 9 am - 12 noon Mon. - Sat. sorting and pricing of books - come and have fun with your AAUW and community friends

                                                       Book Fair Coordinators :

                                                    Nancy Disario 610/867-8533
                                                    Karen Donald 610/746-0337

Bethlehem AAUW Fund

Our Legacy at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation

The Lehigh Valley Community Foundation (LVCF) was founded by Rolland Adams, publisher of the Globe Times Newspaper, in 1967 as a philanthropic gesture, from a variety of restricted and unrestricted charitable gifts, to benefit the organizations and people of the Lehigh Valley.

Using a portion of Book Fair proceeds, the Bethlehem Branch, AAUW contributed a cash donation of $10,000 to the LVCF in 2003 to establish the Bethlehem AAUW Fund. This money, along with subsequent contributions, accrues a substantial income fund investment activity annually. A modest management fee for our account is only .075%.

With the branch's most recent 2005 contribution, our Bethlehem AAUW Fund is now in excess of $19,ooo and growing! The income from our fund will be used in the future to replace the annual scholarship award from the Bertha Voit Weinland Fund which is scheduled to cease in 2008 as per the terms of the late Mrs. Weinland's will.

Our Bethlehem AAUW Fund at the Lehigh Valley Community Foundation is a marvelous way for our members to make tax-free donations (in any amount) to honor AAUW colleagues and friends or relatives for special events as well as for memorial gifts. For additional information contact Treasurer Berry Richards at 610-691-2030 or Linda Robertson at 610-865-2087.