THUNDER BAY – Whether you’re a reader, a writer, or just a collector, books always seem to have a place in the home and community book sales are making sure books will always find new places to call home.
The Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library hosted Books from the Community on Saturday at the Waverly Resource Library, offering local writers and members of the public to sell and trade their new and used books.
Diane Piovesana, vice president of the Friends of the Thunder Bay Public Library, said it is the focus of the library itself to provide books and reading material to the community.
“This was also an opportunity for members of the community to rent a table and sell their own books,” she said. “We have a poet, we have a historian who is giving up some of his collection, and there is an English professor who has a book for sale. It’s a way to give them a chance to reach out.”
While there have been used book sales at local library branches and the Friends of the Library operates a used book store at Victoriaville Mall, community sales like the one on Saturday help get more books back out into the community.
“The mandate for us is encouraging reading in the community, so wherever we can make books possible, that is what we like to do,” Piovesana said.
And keeping those old books going not only reduces waste, but gives that book a second life in another home.
“A book can always been enjoyed by many, many people, and it’s our opportunity to pass them on to other people and hopefully encourage literacy,” Piovesana said.
Piovesana added she hopes to see future community book sales offered, as well as more local authors participating in the event to share their work, their love of reading, and help get more books back into the community.
“It’s an opportunity for them,” she said. “I realize with local authors sometimes they don’t have the same exposure until they are well established. It’s another chance for them. Hopefully it is successful today and we will carry on.”
