Run for Books!

Last Saturday was Rock N Read, a Charity 5K to benefit the local libraries. As I've previously mentioned, their budget has been slashed by more than 50%, there have been hundreds and hundreds of librarians laid off, and all libraries are now only open 4 days a week. A couple of branches are closed completely. In fact, the one nearest to my house is for sale! So they do not intend to reopen it. Two branches have had enough volunteers that just last week it was announced that they can open 1 additional day per week.

My chapter of the Women's National Book Association was a sponsor of the event. I helped to stuff 400 "goodie bags" for participants two weeks ago. And last week I worked two days from 11:00-7:00 at a local running store, handing out the bags along with participants' numbers and information. On Saturday I got up at 5:10 to arrive at the event by 5:45. It was dark and cold, and I was dressed for warmer weather. I am not a morning person so perhaps it is good that we kind of stood around for quite a while. Eventually I was able to set up the WNBA-C table, where we had brochures, free ARCs, and candy! (Yes, that is me in the navy blue shirt.) We had quite a few people stop by and ask questions and pick up books. I am bummed that we've had no emails yet about it, but it's only been 3 days. Patience has never been my strong suit.

The great news is that the event raised over $11,000! Considering that it was pulled off in a crazy-short time frame and it was the first annual, I think that is a pretty amazing amount! Exceeded their goal by over $1000. We had a couple of members run in the 5K, several helped with registration, and a couple manned a water station.

Next is the book sale, which I am very much looking forward to, despite now being on a strict budget. There are over 100,000 books that will be sold! Any bookish people in Central North Carolina should consider making the trip! It's Oct 22-24 unless you are a member of the Friends of the Library (the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library) in which case there are earlier dates.

It was a lot of fun, and I met some cool people. I hope to see many of them at a WNBA event in the future, and maybe I'll also see them at the Book Sale!