U of T has been infected with a terrible case of bibliomania. Symptoms include an addiction to reading and the obsessive need to purchase lots of books at low prices. The cure for this condition can be found at the upcoming Trinity College Book Sale, which runs from Oct. 23 to 27.
Now in its 34th year, the Book Sale provides a great lesson on the value of persistence and community involvement. Beginning with a few cartons of cheaply purchased books, the Book Sale has evolved into a sophisticated, successful community event that brings together students, alumni, book collectors, and Toronto bibliophiles.
The idea for the Book Sale came about in 1974, when Trinity College librarian Beatrice Saunders suggested that the college form a Friends Of The Library group like the one at Trinity College in Dublin. The purpose of the organization was “to provide moral and financial support to the College Library,” which at that time was located in the basement of the college. One of the responsibilities of the group would be the running of a book sale to raise funds. The memorandum fell on deaf ears.
Fortunately, a visit by Trinity College alumnus Jean Elliott to The Book Barrel—a local book store near U of T—resurrected the idea. “He was selling Oxford University Press remainders for $1 to $2. Booksellers and campus librarians were purchasing them, but not Trinity,” Elliott recalls. When she phoned the college and suggested they send someone out to purchase books, she was told that they did not have the time or the resources. Elliott took it upon herself to visit The Book Barrel and buy several cartons worth of books.
Eventually, she came across Beatrice Saunders’ memorandum and decided to act on her suggestion. Four other alumnae—Lisa Balfour Bowen, Catherine Graham, Helen Bastedo, and Heather Bradfield—gathered together, forming the core of what would become the Friends of the Trinity College Library. Elliott and the other members of the new group were buoyed by letters of support that came from alum as far away as London and Bangkok. One letter gave the fledgling group over $300.
That same year, the group decided to hold the first book sale. Elliott donated $60 worth of books as a foundation and received more donations from supporters. The first Book Sale was held in Seely Hall, and was expected to raise only $500. The total revenue came out to $2,000.
And what a difference 34 years can make. The Book Sale now pulls in up to $140,000 annually. Over the years, it has raised a total of over $3 million. Over $1 million of this was spent in 2000 to convert the Devonshire House residence into the current John W. Graham Library. Another million has gone towards acquisitions, with the last third funding an endowment to the librarianship.
The selection at the Book Sale is diverse and impressive, and almost all items are priced between one and two dollars. “Some book buyers walk out with two bags filled with mystery fiction—about 50 books—and declare that they have all of their winter reading,” one volunteer explains. Over 30 categories of books are offered to satisfy the palette of any discerning reader. From philosophy and church history to science fiction and mystery, every unit of the Dewey Decimal System is adequately represented.
Rare books at the sale run anywhere from $100 to $3,000. Nancy Graham, co-coordinator for this year’s book sale, showed me a Grocer’s Manual from the 19th century containing old recipes and charts, a tome that avid chefs or historians might find interesting.
The Book Sale is completely volunteer-driven. Almost 200 volunteers spent the week before pricing books and ensuring that they were placed in the correct sections. Preparations for the sale begin 10 months in advance, with student movers sorting and transporting the books to the college. Student movers (myself included) had the advantage of taking a crack at the book selection before the sale even began.
Linda Corman, head librarian at the Graham Library, has witnessed over 29 years of the sale, and remarks it has “evolved into an amazingly sophisticated show.”
The Book Sale “appeals to such a wide group,” she says. “Young people just beginning to build their libraries, students, rare book collectors, and book dealers.” So, how will this year’s Book Sale satisfy your bibliomania?
The Trinity College Book Sale runs Oct. 23 to 27 in Seely Hall.
