[CALIBK12] Book fair question and issues

[Jill Detweiler]

Hi Everyone,

Help. I would love to hear some ideas and advice about book fairs.

On Monday morning I have a meeting with my administration (I am a K-8
independent school librarian at a school with about 250 students) and they
want to discuss options, other vendors (besides Scholastic), other possible
book/literacy/fundraising events, goals of the book fair, etc.
So, I am a bit under the gun as far as planning time.

Some background:
Our school has had Scholastic fairs for many years and held a Cody's fair
one year. I am finding myself torn about this issue because as much as I
completely love the idea of an alternative book swap or supporting small
independent booksellers, the book fair profits provide a substantial amount
(about 25 percent) of my library budget. Some community members would like
to see us find an alternative to Scholastic. I appreciate the fact that
Scholastic provides more inexpensive books to the students than other
vendors, and we do not include any of their non-book items except some
pencils and erasers. Still, they do have more licensed movie and TV tie-in
books than I would like, but that can be balanced somehow I think. Other
vendors may provide a better selection in some areas but the books are more
expensive and our profit margin is smaller. OK, I am sure most of you know
all of the related issues with book fairs, so....

Questions:
What experience have people had with alternate book fair vendors as far as
selection, profit, ease of use, etc.?
Any suggestions?

Thank you!!!

Jill


-- 
Jill Detweiler Clemens
Windrush Library
1800 Elm Street 
El Cerrito, CA 94530

510-970-7580 ext. 208

jdetweiler at windrush.org