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Health & Fitness

Passing it On - Part Three

Passing It On – Part three

        In some countries, it’s the custom to do a thorough housecleaning as the new year comes in.  Closets and cupboards are gone through, floors and windows are washed, discards are thrown out.  If you’ve been reading this blog every week, you know I honored this tradition this year when I hauled orthopedic equipment that wasn’t being used to ReCARES at 27th and Broadway and old photographs and leftover fabric to the East Bay Center for Creative Reuse at 4695 Telegraph.

        Now I want to tell you about how to pass on books you are ready to get off your shelves, your floors and maybe your kitchen counters.  When you contribute those books, they can help support Oakland’s libraries.  All profits from The Bookmark at 721 Washington go into funds that allow the library to provide programs and to purchase new collections. 

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        The Bookmark depends entirely on donations for its stock and people bring in old books one bag or box at a time.  If someone wants to donate a sizeable collection, however, a representative will come to your home and collect them.

        The big excitement at the Bookmark is the annual sale in April.  As the day approaches, known book dealers can be seen among people browsing the shelves.  And during these weeks, the organization of the books on the shelves frequently becomes confused.  I’ve heard that some dealers, with an eye on a particular book or two will purposely misshelf them so they’re not easily found by a competitor, but I’ve never been able to confirm this.

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        The day of the sale the line starts forming early and by 10 or 10:15 reaches around the corner and onto 8th street.  After 10:30, customers leave with bags or cardboard boxes filled with books, a gratifying sight for anyone who enjoys reading.

        The rest of the year the scene is calmer, with occasional murmurs or whoops of excitement to be heard among the shelves as someone finds a volume they’ve been wanting.

        If you love books, The Bookmark is the place for you – to give up books you’ve read, to buy books you want, to browse the shelves or to volunteer your time.

        The Bookmark

        721 Washington, Oakland

        Hours: Su: 10:30 – 2  M–F:  10:30 – 5:30,  Sat:  10:30 – 3:30

        510 – 444-0473

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