Trinity Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Fifth and Juliana streets, has officially started accepting used book donations for its much-anticipated annual book sale, scheduled for October 8 through 11.
For more than 70 years, this popular event has been a vital fundraiser supporting various local church initiatives and community programs, including food drives and scholarships.
Books can be donated each Wednesday morning from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. until August 27. Volunteers will be stationed at Trinity Hall to receive the donations. However, donors should note that when the hall is reserved for other church events, book collection may be paused. To donate, visitors should enter through the red door located off the alley behind the church building.
Lynn Fury, the chairwoman of the book sale committee, emphasized the importance of community support to the sale’s ongoing success. “The success of the annual sale starts with the people in our community who round up their books and bring them to the church in June, July, and August,” Fury said.
“We need the month of September to sort and store the donated books for the sale in October.” This sorting period is essential to prepare the vast collection for display and sale during the event.
Donors are kindly asked to carefully screen their book donations to ensure only suitable items are accepted. The church does not accept encyclopedias, dictionaries, reference books, or textbooks.
Magazines and pamphlets are also excluded, along with materials published before 2015 that cover fast-changing topics such as computers, psychology, travel, self-help, business, or finance. Small cookbooks (except for standard-sized ones), CDs, cassette tapes, VHS tapes, and any musty, mildewed, or damaged books are not accepted either.
On the other hand, books that generally sell well and are welcomed in good condition include a wide variety of genres. Popular categories include literary classics, history, mystery, science fiction and fantasy, romance, cooking, religion, and children’s stories.
Special “gem” books are especially prized by buyers—these include West Virginia history books, yearbooks, hardcover pictorial “coffee table” books, and books published before 1940.
In addition to the vast selection of books, the Trinity Episcopal Book Sale also features a separate section dedicated to holiday gift items and homemade goods.
During the sale, visitors can enjoy lunches that feature hot dogs, soups, and delicious desserts, making the event not only a great opportunity to pick up books but also a fun community gathering.
For many locals, the book sale is more than just a shopping event—it’s a cherished tradition that brings the community together while raising funds to help those in need. Whether you are donating books or browsing for your next great read, the Trinity Episcopal Church book sale is an excellent way to support local causes and connect with neighbors.
If you have books to donate, be sure to bring them to Trinity Episcopal Church on Wednesdays through August 27, from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. Remember to screen your donations to ensure they meet the guidelines, helping to make this year’s sale a success for everyone involved.
This October, make plans to visit the sale and discover fantastic reads while supporting valuable programs that benefit West Virginia’s community. It’s an event not to be missed!
