The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WALLA WALLA – The 44th Annual AAUW (American of University Women) Book Sale will be held February 22-24, at the Marcus Whitman Hotel, located at 6 W. Rose St, in Walla Walla. Sale hours will be Fri. and Sat., 9 am – 7 pm; and Sun., 9 am – 4 pm.

In doing research for her Walla Walla Union Bulletin Lifestyles January 27th article, writer and AAUW member Diane Reed discovered that the first AAUW book sale - dubbed a "Book Fair" - was held in downtown Walla Walla in April of 1964 and offered "old books, used books, funny books, history books - all kinds and types."

In the early years the Girl Scouts and Campfire Girls helped collect book donations. In the beginning, proceeds supported "fellowships" at the national level. In the late 1970s the chapter decided to start funding scholarships for local women and community projects.

The book Sale features a huge selection (approximately 40,000) of high-quality paperback and hardback fiction and nonfiction books, children's books, DVDs, CDs, and audio books, in addition to collectibles. Patrons can find books for their own reading pleasure, as well as gifts, such as coffee table books, cookbooks, golden oldies or the latest best seller.

The books are organized into 40 well-marked categories, including fiction, history, cookbooks, self-help, biographies, military history, western fiction, religion, art, science fiction, local history, sports, animals and many more. Each year changes are made to help patrons locate books.

New this year is a PBS Great American Read section in the Literature category. This was a PBS program about America's 100 best-loved novels, which explored and celebrated the power of reading and the affect these books have on reader's lives.

New last year, the very popular young adult category, managed by Walla Walla Community College librarian Jen Stutesman, will have over 1500 titles. Teen comics and graphic novels are also featured.

Prices range from $.50 to $4 for most items. Collectibles are priced individually. Children (14 and younger) each receive one free book of their choosing from the picture or chapter book categories. Thanks to generous donations, these two categories will have an unusually large number of books this year.

The Collectibles area features an extensive selection of northwest and local histories, including a number of hard-to-find titles.  Collectible offerings include signed copies, fine bindings, art books, literature, illustrated books and much more. Collectible books begin as little as $6.00.  

Book donations for the sale can be made at the following drop boxes locations: Harvest Foods, John's Wheatland Bakery, YWCA (in the alley behind), Impress Salon (Plaza Way), Andy's Market, and Ace Hardware in Milton-Freewater. Arrangements for picking up large donations may be made by calling (509) 386-0421 or (509) 386-9369. The Book Sale continues to be grateful for the community's generous donations.

The AAUW mission is advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy and research. In the past 14 years, AAUW Walla Walla has given away over $95,000 in scholarships to local high school women in various programs and to local women returning to college, and $82,128 in mini-grants to over 40 local educational programs and events.

For more information on the Book Sale, AAUW, or scholarships, visit the AAUW Walla Walla website at wallawalla-wa.aauw.net. To apply for AAUW college scholarships, visit the Blue Mountain Community Foundation website at bluemountaincommunityfoundation.org.