Though many are familiar with Wallingford’s innovative public library, they may not be aware that its basement is home to the Book Seller. This book store collects gently used books from the Wallingford area and sells them for low prices, with profits benefiting the library. The Book Seller has been a huge success in making book ownership more readily available to those in the Wallingford community. However, one of the biggest challenges for the Book Seller has been exposure. Though many are familiar with Wallingford’s innovative public library, they may not be aware that its basement is home to the Book Seller. This book store collects gently used books from the Wallingford area and sells them for low prices, with profits benefiting the library. The Book Seller has been a huge success in making book ownership more readily available to those in the Wallingford community. However, one of the biggest challenges for the Book Seller has been exposure.
The Book Seller is run by volunteers who collect, sort, shelve, and sell the books. “Here, the volunteers are part of the library family,” explained Wallingford Public Library Director Ms. Jane Fisher. “They come in, know their way around, and feel comfortable in the staff areas. And they do amazing work that raises so much money for the library.”
The Book Seller, a bookstore beneath the WPL, provides literature to locals as well as schools and prisons.
The Book Seller volunteers are very passionate about their work. Ms. Peggy Drew is a volunteer and one of the original leaders of the Book Seller. Though she works a full-time job, she continues to make time every Saturday to come and volunteer. She said, “This is my heart. No matter what kind of day or week I have, I just come here, and I am like, ‘Yes! This is wonderful!’” The Book Seller has welcomed a wonderful community of people who are passionate about books, the library, and serving Wallingford.
All of the time and energy the volunteers have dedicated has made the Book Seller a great resource for Wallingford. The low prices of books at the Book Seller make them more accessible to a variety of people and organizations. “I have little kids who come in looking for Magic Tree House, and we have a ton of them,” explained Ms. Drew. “‘You have the best books ever!’ they say, and they are only 50 cents each, so they can buy a couple.” The Book Seller also donates books to local schools, hospitals, and prisons.
The Book Seller’s greatest challenge is publicity. “Sometimes people discover the Book Seller and are like, ‘How long has this been here?’ Our goal is for it not to be Wallingford’s best kept secret,” explained Ms. Fisher. “We want people to know about it.” Ms. Fisher and Ms. Drew encourage all members of the Wallingford community, including Choate students, to use the Book Seller as a resource for buying and recycling gently used books.
The Book Seller has already opened doors for many local readers and hopes to continue to do so in the future. It has worked to establish a community of book-lovers and volunteers, helping to foster the importance of both reading and giving back.
