FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (3/04)
Contact: Amy Giglio, Bazaar Liaison/Centenary, 318-869-5136
Zoe Ramsey, Book Bazaar Chairman 797-4278
Book House Phone (Mon & Wed) 219-3409
Anne Buckley, Muse President, 861-6565
Lynn Stewart, Centenary News Service, 869-5120

Centenary Book Bazaar Seeks Book Donations; Assisted Drive-up Donation Set for April 12

SHREVEPORT, LA — Monday, April 12, marks the first assisted book-donation date of 2004 for the Centenary Muses, sponsor of the Centenary Book Bazaar. The Muses will accept donations at the group’s Book House storefront at 108 East Kings Highway from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on April 12 and on the second Monday of every month through August.

On these days donors may park in front of the Book House and receive assistance with unloading of books. Large protected book bins are available in front of the Book House for donations at other times.

“We depend on book donations to secure the books we sell at the annual bazaar each September,” said Zoe Ramsey, Book Bazaar chair. “We count on people to clean out their collections and share books with other readers who will enjoy them. It’s a great way to recycle books.”

The 2004 Centenary Book Bazaar is scheduled for Sept. 10 and 11, at the Gold Dome on the Centenary campus. Book donations for this event will be accepted and processed through August. Pick-up is available for estate collections or similar large donations by calling the Book House at 219-3409.

“Some of the unique selections come from donations by people who are closing houses, downsizing or moving out of state,” Ramsey said. “However, the bulk of our books come from donors who drop by a bag or box of books occasionally through the year. The small donors are the foundation of our supply.”

The Muses accept books, CDs and videotapes in good condition. Condition is a critical element in the resale value of a book. Not accepted are textbooks over five years old (other than literature and history), Reader’s Digest Condensed Books and National Geographic magazines.

Last year’s event raised over $30,000 for projects and activities that directly benefit Centenary students. “We work hard throughout the year to prepare for this event,” said Anne Buckley, president of the Muses. “The dollars we provide help fund projects that would not be part of the college budget but that enhance the students' life at Centenary.”

Among the projects funded from 2003 bazaar revenues were benches for residence halls, equipment for the Residence Hall Association and for the student fine arts magazine, and funding for the Student Research Forum. In addition, the Muses support student travel each year through contributions to the Carolyn Flournoy Travel Fund.

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