As president of the Muncie Branch of the American Association of University Women, I believe I owe the Muncie community a report about our used book sale.
Because of area residents’ generous donations of used and new books, CDs, DVDs and puzzles, AAUW — Muncie Branch has been able to sustain a book sale for 46 years, which would have been consecutive if it weren’t for the pandemic of 2019.
The book sale always starts the Saturday before Memorial Day and starts up again the Tuesday after Memorial Day. The sale concludes the Saturday after Memorial Day. Please mark this week on your calendar for 2027. Donations are accepted the week before the sale starts.
And when people say to me no one reads books anymore, I have to respond, “Come to our book sale.” We had more donations of quality books and other items this year than ever.
Plus, as a side note, I hear college students are increasingly interested in durable media — books, CDs and DVDs — because they find it difficult to pay the increasing prices for streaming subscription-based media. We had more young people than usual at the sale, too.
In addition to all of the wonderful donations we receive annually from the community, I give many thanks to AAUW – Muncie Branch members and nonmembers who help each year to make the book sale possible and such a success. Our volunteers work tirelessly to categorize and organize books on more than 30 8-foot tables.
With book sale workers’ help and shoppers, which we need after donors, we raised nearly $7,000. These funds will support future scholarships for Ball State University and Ivy Tech Community College students who are 25 years old or older and operational costs of the Muncie Branch, which include making donations to other good causes in our community. We awarded three $1,500 scholarships this year. We hope to do better next year.
The previous sales record was about $4,200, in 2025.
This year the book sale started strong opening day, which is always the day the most money is made, but also finished strong, making almost as much money during $10 bag day, the last day of the sale.
The Preview Party, a first for the book sale this year, also was a success with at least 40 people at the event.
By the end of the sale, the tables were as empty as they ever have been.
An extreme shopper at the book sale was Derek Edwards, owner of White Rabbit Used Books, 1600 W. Jackson St. If anyone missed making a purchase at our book sale, please consider checking with Derek for the book, CD or DVD in question. AAUW – Muncie Branch appreciates the support he gives us each year.
Helping to pack and clean up the remaining items at the sale were coaches and players, representing a variety of teams from Ball State’s Athletic Department.
Head Football Coach Mike Uremovich was very responsive and helpful in getting the support the book sale needed to conclude. Assisting him in this effort was Pete Roley, assistant athletic director for Ball State football and chief of staff.
Roley and a few players also helped to unload books the AAUW – Muncie Branch had to transfer from a member’s house to the Ball State Alumni Center the first day donations were accepted. The Muncie branch is fortunate to have such support from Ball State’s Athletic Department.
Next, the Muncie branch could not do the book sale without Ball State’s permission and the staff at the Ball State Alumni Center. They have been so generous with the AAUW – Muncie Branch over the years, and this year they were more generous than ever by allowing us to extend book sale hours, which contributed to the increase in sales. Thank you to Laticia Alexander, associate director for Ball State Foundation operations and Alumni Center manager, and her staff. Ball State also is an affiliate member of AAUW National.
In addition, librarians from the Ball State Bracken Libraries are among our volunteers. Thank you.
Finally, Ball State’s Office of Community Engagement supports the Muncie Branch with its endorsement. Another thank you goes to Kelli Huth, associate vice president for community engagement at Ball State, and her staff who also help to make the book sale possible.
The Muncie Branch of AAUW takes pride in sponsoring the book sale each year, which is very much a team effort. We believe it also is a benefit to the community. We receive lots of positive feedback from residents.
So, keep reading, watching and listening. And prepare to donate in 2027.
Thank you, Muncie!
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Op-ed: Record Muncie book sale supports local scholarships
Reporting by Sheryl Swingley, Muncie Star Press / Lafayette Journal & Courier
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