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Hamilton Public Library's  Book Sale takes place Monday, February 28 to Saturday, March 5.  New hours:  Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Location of the Sale: Hamilton City Centre, 77 James St. N., Lower Level (next to Mountain Coffee House).  

Thousands of items will be available for the whole family: books, pocketbooks, videos and much more. Tables re-stocked continuously.  Be sure to bring bags with you to the sale.

A fundraising project of the Hamilton Public Library and Soroptimist International of Hamilton-Burlington.

The Book Sale Story:Where do the books come from for the Book Sale?

Book Sale books are recent discards from the collections of all libraries in the Hamilton Public Library System.  Twice a year, these books are made available for purchase to the public.

What does discarding mean?

Discarding is a very serious process that requires training and experience. The aim is to keep the library's collection as useful and current as possible by removing damaged, outdated and unused materials. All books are carefully examined to ensure they are not needed by another branch library.

Why doesn’t the library keep more old books and buy fewer new ones to cut costs?

Patrons want current, popular and talked-about materials. The library has an obligation to the community to provide those desired materials and offer the service Hamilton area residents deserve. The library is committed to a usable, up-to-date collection.

Who gets the money collected from the sale?

The book sale is the major fundraising event of the year for Soroptimist International who handles the actual sale. Because of their work, they receive a portion of the proceeds. The remaining money, raised on behalf of the library, helps to defray the cost of library operations.

Soroptimist International

(Website http://www.ecsoroptimist.org)

Soroptimist International is a volunteer service organization for women in business, management and the professions working through service projects to improve all aspects of the community.

All proceeds from the Library Book Sale are used to support a variety of local and international projects as outlined below.

The most recent International projects include Project Sierra for children and families in Sierra Leone and Omoyo School for Girls in Zambia through the Stephen Lewis Foundation

Economic and Social Development

Support of local Food Banks, Women’s Shelters, Friends for Success through the YWCA, Out of the Cold Program, Kids Help Phone Program and CityKidz.

Education

Violet Richardson Award, Women's Opportunity Award, Ruby Award (Making a Difference for Women), Soroptimist Foundation of Canada and Hamilton Public Library Summer Reading Club.

Environment

Advocacy in regard to world issues addressed by the United Nations.

Health

Pediatric Critical Care Unit, McMaster Children’s Hospital.

Human Rights

Status of Women support.

International Goodwill and Understanding

Member of United Nations Friendship Link with club in Japan.

For more information, or if you are interested in becoming a member of Soroptimist International of Hamilton-Burlington, contact:

Soroptimist International of Hamilton-Burlington

P.O. Box 43504

180 James Street, South

Hamilton, ON L8P 4X5

Email: sihamilton.burlington@soroptimist.net

Telephone: Marion Cavasin 905-526-7401