by Mary Kay Melvin
PA News Editor
A happy ending is practically in the book bag for San Francisco Day School’s annual Library Party thanks to a new partnership between the School and Books, Inc.
For the first time in the history of the Library Party and Book Sale, organizers opted to partner with a bookstore in an effort to limit the School’s financial exposure, explained Ellen Towell, co-chair of the event and mother to Daniel (third grade) and Jackson (eighth grade).
“It’s a more sustainable model,” said Towell, who noted that the arrangement is commonly used by independent schools in the city. Books, Inc. extended the SFDS book sale at its Laurel Village location until November 1 because the on-site event lasted only one-and-a-half days. Most school book fairs last five days. This year the Library Party was held Oct. 26 and 27, and was held with the 9th annual Family Photo Night on the 26th.
While the figures have not yet been finalized, the two day event brought in approximately $19,000. The library received $7,500 worth of books from grandparents and another $4,500 worth from parents via the sale’s library book donation program, according to Dasha Ostrova, the School’s events manager.
MORE BOOKS, LESS WORK
Even if the bookstore partnership does not amount to more money, Ellen said, it definitely resulted in less work for the event’s 50 volunteers. Books, Inc. staff was on hand both days educating volunteers, advising customers, and processing purchases.
Other benefits to the partnership included more categories and a greater number of titles within each. Also, Books, Inc. culled books from its many stores and warehouse when anyone requested a book that was not on site. In addition, John Irving’s book, “Last Night in Twisted River,” which was not authorized to be sold in the United States until Oct. 27, was ready to go that Tuesday.
“That was a great resource,” said Ellen, who noted that even the Booker Prize winner’s book “Wolf Hall” was available.
“ISH WISH DISH”
The Library Party had something for everyone this year, plus gift wrapping: Three of four scheduled authors were on hand to sign copies of their books, children made puppets, and a faculty “wish list tree” was erected so that parents could purchase books as personal gifts or for classrooms.
Teachers were not sold on the “wish list” idea at first, Ellen said. “But, they knew it would really help the library,” she said. “Parents seemed to like it a lot.”
Even students filled out wish lists with the help of event volunteers, said Ellen, who stressed that a major objective of Library Party is to have books for all kinds of readers. “There is an effort to have something for everyone,” she said.
ALL SMILES
This was the third year that Family Photo Night coincided with the first day of the Library Party. Once again, the overlap of activity provided steady foot traffic through the school gym from 4-8 p.m. Family Photo Night began nine years ago as a way to celebrate the School’s families and staff. Within the coming month, every family’s photo will be matted and displayed in the School’s corridors.
“Thanks to Dasha Ostrova and the legions of parent volunteers, Family Photo Night went off without a hitch,” said Sydney Bernier, who co-chaired the event with Gabrielle Bravo and Erin Yamamura. “A record 216 families along with their dogs, cats, rabbits, and even Ms. Pattison’s giant goldfish took part in one of the School’s most beloved traditions,” she said.
A fourth photographer, who came later than the others, was added to the schedule this year in order to accommodate everyone who wanted their pictures taken, Dasha said. She noted that 25 volunteers worked the event (some as dog walkers).
Click here to view the library party photo gallery.
