Books will be all around the University of Arizona this March. This is because the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society are in support of the Arizona State Museum organizing the Benefit Book Sale, which allows the community to buy cheap books.
“For older generations, [books] are a means of passing down specialized collections, knowledge, and information accumulated throughout their scholarly lives,” Darlene Lizarraga, director of marketing for the museum, said in an email.
With the kick off of the Tucson Festival of Books, the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society in its principal missions of supporting the Arizona State Museum is doing its biannual fundraising, according to Katherine Cerino, chairman of the Arizona Archaeological and Historical Society Library Committee.The event runs from Saturday, March 14 to Sunday, March 15 in the front lawn of the museum located on East University Boulevard.
Lizarraga explained via email that “for the [Arizona State Museum] library, the book sales are a critical source of income which allows the librarians to acquire new and important publications, and continue subscriptions to scholarly journals.”
According to their website, on Saturday, March 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the museum will have an open house for the general public. During the day, all exhibitions are open. Visitors can participate in hands-on activities and meet professionals in the field. Additionally, volunteers for AAHS are in charge of setting and selling the books.
According to Cerino, a lot of the books for sale are donated by retired professors and locals. Some donated books are added to the library collection and others are sold.
Maggie Dwenger, the library specialist for the museum library and archives, mentioned that Benefit Book Sale offers a broad variety of books, primarily in areas like archaeology and anthropology with an emphasis on U.S. Southwest and northern Mexico, but it also offers books on historic costumes.
Book prices go from $2 to $5 and journals for less than $1. Additionally, tables with jewelry will be set up for those who are fascinated with handmade accessories, according to Dwenger.
The used book sale continues on Sunday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Payments can be made in cash, check and credit card.
“[The book sale] is very important for the library since it receives little to no state funding,” Cerino said in an email.
According to Cerino, the museum wants to be noticed by UA, local community and with the Tucson Festival Book running this weekend. The Arizona State Museum wants to attract more people to campus area so they can check the museum and walk through the Festival.
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