(July 23, 2009)
Contact: Rick DelaHaya, Centenary News Services, 318.869.5073
23rd Muses Book Bazaar Takes Place Sept 11 — 12 at Gold Dome
SHREVEPORT, La.— The annual Centenary Book Bazaar takes place Friday, Sept. 11 and Saturday, Sept. 12 and returns to the Gold Dome on the Centenary College campus. Doors will be open from 4 until 9 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is FREE and open to the public.
The Bazaar, now in its 23rd year, is organized and sponsored by the Centenary Muses with proceeds used to fund projects and programs for Centenary students. A Centenary staple for years, the bazaar has raised about $50,000 each of the past three years and has helped pay for items such as computers, rocking chairs for residence hall porches, and athletic equipment. "The money helps to pay for items that are beyond the College's budget," said Zoe Ramsey, Book Bazaar chairwoman.
According to Ramsey, patrons will experience the largest sale ever. "This year we will have more than 65,000 paperback and hardback books for sale as well as audio and video materials," said Ramsey. There will also be more than 5,000 vinyl records as well as hundreds of DVDs, videotape movies, CDs, cassette tapes, and puzzles and games.
The Book Bazaar features books sorted into more than 30 categories including fiction, science fiction, religion, history, and children's books. New this year will be a separate room dedicated to books on Louisiana topics. The Muses have collected approximately 1,000 books ranging from 19th century historical tomes to novels featuring the famous Cajun detective Dave Robischeaux. There will also be available for purchase, many rare and sought after items including a first edition of Antoine's Restaurant Cookbook, the out-of-print Shreveport Madam and a signed copy of A Blue Dog Christmas featuring the artwork of George Rodrigue.
Also new this year is a table devoted to books on local high school reading lists. Students will be able to find almost all titles ranging in price from 25 cents to $1.25.
Prices for books start at 25 cents, while most items are priced under $5. As in the past, there will also be 10 especially rare books that will be available to bid on during the sale. The Bazaar ends with what most patrons wait for...the half price sale starting at 1 p.m. on Saturday afternoon!
The Centenary Muses are women committed to philanthropic support of Centenary College students, using all the proceeds from the annual Book Bazaar to fund campus projects not included in the regular college budget.
"There are two things that thrill the hearts of the Centenary Muses," said Ramsey. "The first is watching the joy of Shreveport's readers, from first graders to senior citizens as they load up on books for the coming year. The second is passing out grants to students, faculty and staff at the College we love." In their 23-year history, the Muses have raised close to $1 million for the College.
For more information, contact the Book House at 318.219.3409 or David Williams at 318.869.5162.
About Centenary College of Louisiana
Centenary College is a private, four-year arts and sciences college affiliated with the United Methodist Church. Founded in 1825, it is the oldest chartered liberal arts college west of the Mississippi River and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Centenary is one of 16 colleges and universities constituting the Associated Colleges of the South and is regularly rated as one of the top colleges in the South. In 2008 Centenary College celebrates 100 years in Shreveport and Bossier City.