Dave Obee is editor and publisher of the Times Colonist.
About 100 volunteers are busy at the Victoria Curling Club this week, sorting through everything that was donated during the annual Times Colonist book drive on Saturday and Sunday.
They are working on a tight deadline because in less than two weeks — on May 6 and 7 — a few thousand people will line up to get their hands on those books.
As always, the proceeds from the sale will go to literacy organizations and school libraries. Over the years, more than $6 million has been donated.
After a bit of a panic a few days ago, it appears that we will have enough tables, thanks to about a dozen sources. Several people answered the call in Saturday’s edition, and their generosity ensures that the sale will go ahead as planned.
Mark Taylor, the volunteer co-ordinator, says that the donation weekend went as expected, with a busy Saturday and a quieter Sunday. A couple of people were testy by the time they got to the drop-off point, but a few hundred more were grateful for the community effort that makes the TC book sale one of the largest in North America.
By the time the doors were closed on Sunday afternoon, about 200 pallets had been filled with books. That is down from last year’s 250, but as Taylor says, that number is not the best measure of what will be available for the sale.
People who helped unload vehicles reported that the quality of books seemed to be higher than last year, meaning more desirable titles and books in better condition.
Keep that in mind. Early indications are that it will be a great sale.
The Times Colonist provides organizational help and publicity for the sale, but the greatest credit goes to readers — thanks for donating these, thanks for buying those — as well as all of those eager, dedicated, passionate, helpful volunteers.
Those volunteers are the ones who make sure the books are sorted so you can find exactly the gem that you are looking for. In their ranks, you will find a remarkable cross-section of the community, all brought together by their love of reading and their commitment to literacy.
It’s been a quarter of a century since we started the book sale. In 1998, we raised $20,000 and thought we had done a great job. Last year, we donated almost $300,000. We hope to do even better this year.
The book sale takes place on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sunday, May 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the curling club at 1952 Quadra St.
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