BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Dust off the shelves and get rid of old books for a good cause.
The Bethlehem branch of the American Association of University Women, or AAUW, is seeking donations for its annual book fair.
- The Bethlehem branch of the American Association of University Women is seeking donations for its annual book fair
- The donations will be accepted from 9 a.m. to noon through Tuesday, April 25 at the Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink
- The donations will be used for the association's book fair, which raises money for local high school seniors and women returning to college
The organization will collect new and gently used adult and children’s books, DVDs and CDs from 9 a.m. to noon Tuesday, April 4, through Tuesday, April 25, at Bethlehem Municipal Ice Rink, 345 Illick’s Mill Road.
Raising money for college
The annual book fair is the AAUW's chief fundraiser.
Money raised will go toward college scholarships for local high school seniors and women returning to college following a break in their education.
Last year, the organization collected close to $67,000.
Since the book fair began in 1962, $979,000 has been raised for scholarships, the AAUW website says.
This year's goal is to reach $1 million in gross sales.
The organization first held the fair on Main Street (back then used books sold for about five cents).
During the past few decades, it has moved to various locations including City Motors, the Pennsylvania Playhouse and the memorial pool building.
New finds
It's a good way to stock up early on discounted summer reads.
Expect to find rows of tables filled with hundreds of romance, fiction, mystery, cookbooks and nonfiction books.
Hardcover books will cost less than $5, while paperbacks will retail for about $2.
Preview Day will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, April 26. Admission is $20 for the first hour and $15 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Free entry days are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 29, noon to 5 p.m. April 30 (half-price day) and 9 a.m. to noon May 1 ($10 a bag).
Only cash and checks will be accepted. Volunteers also are needed; onsite training will be provided.
For more information, visit AAUW's website.
