In a couple of weeks hundreds of avid bookworms will inch over to the Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center at the twelfth annual Mini-Fair and Book Sale, one of the largest community-wide events in town.
“We’ll have many of the same attractions and events that we’ve had in the past,” said Assistant Library Director Jennifer Breuer. “The Mini-Fair and Book Sale is one of the biggest community-wide events that takes place every year in Secaucus and it’s well-attended. So, we don’t like to mess with success. We’ll have raffles and games, lots of activities for children. And of course there will be lots of vendors and the book sale itself.”
An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people attend the fair each year.
Each year, money raised from the annual event benefits a particular library program that has been identified by the Friends of the Library, a nonprofit group. In 2007 and 2008 Friends of Library used proceeds from the Mini-Fair and Book Sale to benefit the Children’s Reading Garden, which was finally completed last year.
An estimated 1,500 to 2,000 people attend the fair each year.
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In previous years, fundraisers sponsored by Friends of the library supported book purchases, concert series, the baby grand piano that sits in the Panasonic Room on the second floor, shelving, and other necessities.
This year, Breuer said, Friends of the Library “has decided to use money from the Mini-Fair and Book Sale to benefit our efforts to preserve some of our local historical records so we don’t lose important Secaucus history.”
Specifically, the library will begin digitizing local newspapers that have begun to disintegrate and will replace papers that had been transferred to microfilm.
The estimated cost to digitize these records is about $20,000.
“We don’t expect to raise all that this year,” Breuer said. “We know we’ll have to do this is several phases.”
Storytelling, baking contest
Organizers of the Mini-Fair have packed the five-hour event with fun activities for all ages.
More than 100 vendors will be on hand to sell baked goods and arts and crafts. And there will be a baking contest, with prizes awarded to the best desserts cooked up. Amusement rides will be available for the youngest fair-goers, as will face-painting. Of course, there will also be storytelling, which is has been very popular among Secaucus’ youngest residents.
Naturally, the book sale is the signature event of the day. The library sells “gently-used” books for $3 a bag. The book sales help the library clear older books from its shelves to make room for newer releases.
A few movies in DVD and VHS format will also be on sale.
Thousands raised last year
Last year the Mini-Fair and Book Sale brought in more than $10,600, but Breuer said organizers this year haven’t set a target dollar amount they want to raise this year.
Surprisingly, at a time when other fundraisers and charities are reporting a drop in contributions and support, Breuer said “the community has been very supportive and has really come through for us.”
The library, she said, has not experienced a dip in in-kind contributions, donations, vendors and other support necessary to making the event a success.
“Of all the events that we do throughout the year, I have to say, the Mini-Fair is my personal favorite,” said Breuer. “It’s just a great day for all our residents to get together and have a great time – and support the library in the process. This is when you can really experience the library as the cultural/community center that it has become.”
E-mail E. Assata Wright at awright@hudsonreporter.com.
WHAT: Friends of the Library Mini-Fair and Book Sale. Used books will be sold for $3 a bag. There will also be food, storytelling, and prizes.
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
RAIN DATE: Sunday, Sept. 27 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: Secaucus Public Library and Business Resource Center, 1379 Paterson Plank Rd.
PARKING and transportation: There will be no on-site parking the day of the fair. However, free shuttle service will be provided from Roosevelt Avenue, Front Street, Centre Avenue, County Avenue, and other sites around town to the library. Parking meter rules in the Plaza also have been suspended for the day. For additional information about the Mini-Fair, call (201) 330-2083.