Lingnan University Library
Lingnan University Library's 2002
Open Day Book fair
LU library ventured into book selling on LU's Open Day, October 12, 2002.
Where to get the books for sale?
We, of course, cannot sell the books from our collection. We launched two campaigns to get donations from LU staff and students. The first campaign was launched through posters and emails in May 2002 when students started moving out of hostels. The second campaign was held in September at the beginning of the new term. A donation box was put up at the entrance of the Library to collect books from May to October up till the week before the book sale.
It was stated clearly in the posters and emails that the donated books would be put on sale on the Open Day and money collected would be used for purchasing new materials for the Library.
How much work was involved?
Major tasks were:
Most of the work was taken up by regular staff of Acquisitions, with some support from Circulation. A part-time helper was hired to do the inventory, and two student helpers were hired on the Open Day.To campaign for book donation (i.e., to design posters, post emails etc.) To process the books/magazines for sale, (i.e., to build up the inventory, to set price for each item) To develop selling strategies (e.g., to publicize the sale, to distribute discount coupons, souvenirs etc.) To work out the cash flow for the sale To set up the venue for the sale To sell books on the Open Day
How was the sale?
The book sale was motivated by the need of an attractive and meaningful activity for LU's Open Day, so profit was not a major concern. The challenge we had was how to make it a success, i.e., to draw visitors into the Library and sell as many books as possible. We therefore set all prices at very attractive levels: $20, $10 or $5 per item for books according to their conditions and currency; $3 per item for magazines. We had 1,628 books and 287 magazines for sale by October 12, 2002. Around 250 were the Library's discarded items. The sale started from 11 a.m. and ended at 5:30 p.m. 1,399 books and 89 magazines were sold. $9707 were collected to purchase new materials for the Library.
Are we going to do it again?
Yes, the book sale will be held again. Apart from getting some
funds for purchasing new materials, it is a rallying point for the Library
visit on the Open Day. It also promotes book re-use as it is a channel
for passing used books from old users to new users. The Library can
also get books not held in the Library.
Eugenie Ng
Lingnan University Library
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Aiming at promoting reading and encouraging book sharing, the Book
Donation and Sale Campaign held in February received overwhelming response
with both the number of participants and books sold doubling the figures
of last year. About 200,000 books, covering a variety of topics ranging
from academic reference to dictionaries, fiction and comics, have been
collected from the public for sale. The campaign attracted approximately
21,000 people who bought about 147,000 books.
The Campaign was jointly organized by the Hong Kong Public Libraries, the Home Affairs Department, 18 District Councils, the Community Chest of Hong Kong, Hongkong Post and the Agency for Volunteer Service. All the proceeds have been donated to the Community Chest of Hong Kong.
Agnes Lee
Hong Kong Public Libraries
