The "Bookworm Heaven" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Just saw the sign along the Fruitville Pike that simply said "Book Sale" with an arrow pointed towards the Manheim Township Public Library.  Knew right away that the cars that Carol and I had seen the other night while on our evening walk were people helping to prepare Overlook Skating Rink for the

Interior of the Overlook Skating Rink

annual book sale to raise money for the public library.  Had my camera with me so I headed back the road, past the library and parked in the skating rink's parking lot.  The sale is sponsored by the Manheim Township Public Library Friends who are dedicated supporters whose donated time and talents make a significant difference in the services and materials that the library is able to offer to the public.  

Searching for just the right book to buy

 I had been to the book sale in the past so what I was about to witness really didn't faze me, but for those who had never attended the book sale, they were in for a real treat.  Must have been over 25,000 used books sitting on tables arranged in aisles on the floor of the skating rink.  

Signs lead you to your favorite categories.

 The rink's floor had a layer of heavy paper to protect it from the hundreds of people who would come to sort through the paperbacks, hardcover, rare, encyclopedias and collectible books.  Poles carry the title of what is on the table such as SIGNED BY AUTHOR, SPORTS, and FICTION.  

If you can't find a book by your favorite author, then you didn't look hard enough.  Most of the books were priced at $1 for the hardback and $.50 for the paperbacks.  I didn't come to buy anything, but after a half hour of looking 

Signed by Barbara Bush.  

 I realized I hadn't taken any photos yet, so .......... Some people come prepared with snacks, water bottle and wheeled cart for a day of book shopping.  I started snapping away, searching for something that gives the feel of the entire venue.  But, taking photos just doesn't give you the magnitude and interest the event has for our community library.  The "customers" are the star of the event by helping the library as well as getting just the right book for their search.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.