Hundreds Flock To Annual Pequot Library Book Sale In Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Tens of thousands of books are sold over a five-day period to people from across the state and region at the annual summer book sale at Fairfield’s Pequot Library.

Hundreds turn out to the Pequot Library Annual Summer Book Sale in Fairfield from all around the state and the region to peruse one of the largest library book sales in the state.
Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith*

Ginny Almodovar of Stratford and her daughter Sarah Almodovar of Milford have been coming to the Pequot Library book sale since Sarah was young.
Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith*

Fairfield food truck The Local Meatball is one of several food trucks that provided the food for this year's Pequot Library book sale.
Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith*

Fairfield's Pequot Library collects books for its biannual book sale all year long in a barn behind the library.
Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith*

Parking for the Pequot Library book sale is available on the side streets and at the Trinity Church parking lot, where they ask for a cash donation or canned food donation to park.
Photo Credit: *Alissa Smith*

by Alissa Smith

07/27/2014 4:55 a.m.

“It’s been a really great turn out,” said Fairfield Library's Director of Development Karen Linder regarding attendance at the 54-year-old event.

For many, going to the book sale is an annual pilgrimage and has been for generations.

Ginny Almodovar of Stratford and her daughter Sarah Almodovar of Milford have been coming to the Pequot Library book sale ever since Sarah was young, and they keep coming back every year.

“I come twice a year,” Ginny said, explaining she heads to the winter book sale as well as the big summer sale. “We go to almost all of the bigger library sales. And Pequot just has a bigger selection and not just of the common books.”

Both usually come away from the book sale with at least one book.

“I usually come away with something I didn’t think I’d find,” Sarah said.

Milford resident Allen McGhee said that for the last eight years he has come to the book sale, he has never had a specific book in mind when looking through the collections.

“I focus on subject matter and then look to see what they have,” McGhee said, adding he always leaves with something.

The nearly 200 volunteers at the book sale work on categorizing and pricing the donated books all year round, Linder said.

“We’ve got an army of volunteers,” she said. “We collect books 24-7 in our barn. ”And organizing the books in the basement of the library before the sales is key to making sure the event runs smoothly."

To celebrate the library’s 125th anniversary this year, the volunteers are wearing shirts from the previous years, some going back 20 years or more.

“It’s great to see so many people excited about books,” said Sarah Almodovar.

The library book sale continues through Tuesday, July 29, with different pricing schemes. On Sunday, the books are full marked price from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. On Monday, they are half price from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Tuesday buyers can fill a bag for $5 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Parking is available on the side streets and at the Trinity Church parking lot, where they ask for a cash donation or canned food donation to park.

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