Berks Book Bonanza has announced the final total for the 2021 book sale raised over $100,000 during its five-day event. Proceeds from the sale benefit two area nonprofit organizations, the Friends of Berks County Public Libraries and Reading Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and their missions to give back to the Berks County community.
Excitement was in the air during the sale’s opening day, felt by both volunteers and shoppers alike. This was the first time since 2019 that Berks Book Bonanza opened its doors to the public as the 2020 sale was canceled due to the onset of COVID-19.
Unsure if the sale would draw as much interest as in previous years, event organizers made the decision to expanded the sale over five days. The hope was by increasing the hours of operation, this would lessen the shopping congestion as avid readers browsed the shelves for their next great find.
The sale officially began Wednesday, July 7 with early-bird admission, allowing shoppers first choice of that year’s selection with an early-access pass. Hundreds of passes were sold on the first day, and the enthusiasm seemed to carry over to the remaining four sale days as hundreds more filled their bags.
In total, the 2021 Book Bonanza sale raised $104,015 between all five days, a wonderful send-off for its final year at the Berkshire Mall.
“We couldn’t be happier with the final result,” said Liz Eshelman, Book Bonanza executive committee member. “This will go a long way in making up the funds lost from 2020.”
“We’re thankful to the Berkshire Mall for offering us a home these last 4 years. We’ve recently been presented with a generous opportunity from the Berks County commissioners about potential space for Book Bonanza. Our search committee is actively exploring this possibility, and we’re hopeful to once again hold another successful sale next year.”
Berks Book Bonanza is made possible through community donations and the efforts of its volunteers who spend hundreds of hours collecting, sorting, and preparing the donations for sale. Funds raised from the annual gently-used book sale help to support the public libraries of Berks County and provide scholarships for Berks County girls, women, and female graduate school applicants.
