SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Onondaga County Public Library’s Petit Branch Library is prepared to hold its annual book sale on Sunday, the same day as the Westcott Street Cultural Fair — a scheduling decision that’s been around for decades.
Nobody knows when the tradition started.
According to Petit’s branch manager, Annabeth Hayes, the practice was considered long-established by 2008. The library is located in the Westcott neighborhood, near the end of Victoria Place and adjacent to Westcott Street. Because of the Westcott Street Cultural Fair’s popularity, coordinating the timing of the two events helped draw customers to the library’s book sale.
Hayes said she considers the sale a way of giving back to the community but also that the contribution is reciprocal.
“It’s a way for us to help out the community in addition for community members to help out us,” said Hayes. “I just hope it runs smoothly. I hope the weather cooperates and we have a relatively good book sale and raise some good funds for the library.”
All of the books sold at the sale are donations from the community. The money earned from the sale is used to improve the Petit branch, such as its programs and overall environment. Books that go unsold are given to Better World Books, an online retailer.
Word of the Petit annual book sale has spread to the people of Onondaga County, including one college student who is only in Onondaga County temporarily.
Despite priding himself on being an avid reader, Syracuse University student Matthew Abbruzzese said that because of his college career, he no longer has time to crack open a book. Abbruzzese expressed interest in stopping by Petit to “pick up a book or two.”
“There are a lot of people who are most likely in my same position, so I think raising awareness about that and kind of like an, ‘oh, there’s this book store that if you want to you can go and pick up books.’ I think it’s an awesome idea,” said Abbruzzese.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Onondaga County sold on Petit Branch Library’s annual book sale
Bryan Alger: This Sunday, coninciding with the Westcott Street Cultural Fair, the Onondaga County Petit Brach Library is hosting its annual book sale. According to branch manager Annabeth Hayes, this has been the case for decades.
Annabeth Hayes: The Westcott Street Cultural Fair is a huge event, so it helps get people into the library and raising some funds for the library, and it helps just us give back to the community.
Alger: All books in the book sale are donated by community members. Excess books go to Better World Books, an online retailer that deals in new and used books. Proceeds go towards bolstering the library’s funding.
Hayes: It’s a way for us to help out the community in addition for community members to help out us. I just hope it runs smoothly. I hope the weather cooperates and we have a really good book sale and raise some good funds for the library.
Alger: For students out of the habit of reading, like Syracuse University’s Matthew Abbruzzese, this presents a unique opportunity.
Matthew Abbruzzese: I used to be really good reading books, and it’s something that I prided myself on. Now as I’m kind of like getting older and getting to like the college career, I don’t necessarily have time. There are a lot of people who are most likely in my same position, so I think it’s an awesome idea.
Alger: When it comes to this book sale, Onondaga County is already sold. With NCC News, I’m Bryan Alger.