One Page at a Time

Support the Community: One Page at a Time

You'll want to bookmark these!

Words by Sue Burns | Photos by Dakota Jacobi | Library from Chelsea Cumiford

Lifelong bookworms echo Cicero’s sentiment: “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” Even when engrossed in multiple books, readers are always seeking new titles. What if your ongoing search for new books could support a good cause? Here are two meaningful ways to nurture both your community and your love of books.

LOCAL BOOK SALE TO FUND SCHOLARSHIPS

The biannual Visalia-Sequoia AAUW Book Sale (March and September) started in a backyard in the sixties, moved to the Sequoia Mall for more than 20 years, and currently takes place at the Visalia Veteran’s Memorial Building.

Prepping for the fundraiser takes dedication, along with contributions from various organizations, making it a truly communal event. Every sale starts with a fresh supply of donations. AAUW members meet weekly to sort donations at an Exeter warehouse, preparing for sales that require over 60 volunteers. The day before the sale begins, athletes and coaches from College of the Sequoias transport boxes of books to the site. Redwood High’s FBLA Club assists with setup and organizing books.

And then the big event commences.

Patrons arrive early on the first day for the best selection. “Flying off the shelves” becomes an experience you can observe (or partake in) firsthand. Many return multiple times throughout the week as new donations continue to arrive. Books are priced affordably, and the sale culminates with “Bag Day,” when shoppers can pay just $10 to fill an entire bag with books.

After each sale, items remaining are distributed to prisons, hospitals, thrift stores, and commercial recycling. Over the decades, thousands of books have found new shelves, and benefits go further than just the new book owners who scored deals

HOW THE BOOK SALE BENEFITS STUDENTS

All proceeds from the Book Sale directly fund scholarships for local students. Scholarships are open to students at College of the Sequoias who are planning to transfer to four-year universities. In 2024, six scholarships totaling $13,000 were awarded. Proceeds also fund opportunities for younger students. Beneficiaries have included funding seventh-grade girls to attend Fresno State’s Tech Trek STEM program. Additionally, funds enable fourth to sixthgrade girls to attend the annual Expanding Your Horizons STEM session at COS. Last October, $1,700 provided scholarships for students who might not have otherwise been able to attend.

Jan Cunningham, a longtime AAUW volunteer, first began working at the book sale while holding a full-time job. After retiring, she became more involved, and has now held a co-chair role for three years. Her co-chair, Sandy Parmelly, has been leading for more than 20 years.

Cunningham has witnessed countless heartwarming moments through this event. One teenager, holding a stack of books, tearfully said, “I never thought I’d be able to get this many books.” She’s also seen young couples buying books to fill the shelves of their new homes and teachers stocking their classrooms with children’s books on Bag Day. Reflecting on what keeps her dedicated, she shared, “I love our scholarship programs, but just as important is getting as much literacy into the community as possible by offering affordable books.”

IF YOUR LIBRARY DOESN’T CARRY THE TITLE YOU’RE HOPING FOR

Another invaluable resource for book lovers is the California State Zip Books Grant program. Their main goal is “…to provide patrons with speedy access to materials they might not otherwise be able to get through the library without the long wait...” Offered at all Tulare County libraries and the Tulare Public Library, library cardholders in good standing may submit requests for books not listed in the library’s stacks. If approved, the library orders the book from Amazon and ships it directly to the patron’s home. They may keep the book for six weeks before returning it to the library, where it’s added to the collection or donated to the Friends of the Library for future book sales.

This program is an excellent way to explore books you’re considering purchasing or to access titles unavailable locally. During the 2022-2023 funding period, all 99 libraries that applied for Zip Books grants received funding. Tulare Public Library Manager Heidi Clark reported that the library received $4,000 in funding that year and ordered 240 books. For the 2024-2025 period, the library was awarded $6,700, with 127 books ordered so far.

Requests span a wide variety of genres, helping libraries build collections that reflect community preferences. Clark elaborated, “Zip Books gives libraries a way to say to the community, ‘your opinion matters’. It allows us to be responsive to the community’s preferences.”

Brochures and information on the website publicize the program, but word of mouth is the true page turner here. All paperwork is available in English and Spanish. Check local library websites for specific Zip Books guidelines.

Whether through the AAUW Book Sale or the Zip Books program, you can enrich your literary life while supporting education and literacy in your community. Together, these efforts make a lasting impact, one book at a time. Happy reading!

For information and to donate, visit: https://visaliasequoia-ca.aauw.net/